Utah is the second driest state in the U.S., with a rare closed water system in which northern Utah’s water recycles through the Great Salt Lake instead of flowing to the ocean. This water cycle, along with our unique basin geography, is what gives Utah “The Greatest Snow on Earth.”
Much of Utah’s water comes from mountain snowmelt. In Salt Lake City, about 45% of snowmelt runoff is diverted into the water system — 80% of which goes to agriculture, and almost half used solely for growing alfalfa.
Alfalfa, a crop fed to cows and other livestock, grows quickly and has high yields, but it also uses a lot of water. This water diversion is the major contributor to the Great Salt Lake shrinking more with each passing year.
As the lake dries, toxic metals like arsenic and mercury from the lake bed become airborne, threatening the health of people up to 500 miles away. If trends continue, the Great Salt Lake could dry up within a decade.
In the past, the state government has offered few incentives for farmers to switch to water-saving farming methods. However, in 2020, the Department of Agriculture introduced the Water Optimization Program, which has distributed $65 million in grants for farmers to implement water-saving measures.
The program is in its early stages, and most scientists agree that immediate, more drastic measures must be taken to stop the shrinking of the Great Salt Lake and reduce Utah’s drought risk.
However, with public support and increased funding, the program could make a huge difference.
To learn how to save water at home, visit the Utah DNR Water Conservation Website. For info on Great Salt Lake advocacy, go to GrowTheFlowUtah.org or SaveOurGreatSaltLake.org. Data sourced from the Utah Department of Natural Resources.
Recycle Utah, your community non-profit drop-off recycling center, provides these weekly tips. Visit their website for more information – www.recycleutah.org.