Great Salt Lake Water Levels To Rise Even More This Spring

The Great Salt Lake is expected to rise this coming spring when the snowpack in the surrounding mountains melts.

The Utah body of water is already recording healthier water levels than it has seen in a while, before the spring weather has even melted the snow in the surrounding mountains. When the warmer weather does arrive, it is expected to rise even more.

The Utah Snow Survey estimated that its water levels could rise by 1.2 feet this spring in its March report. In total, 870,000 acre feet of water could feed into the lake from between April and July. This is because there could be a "large amount of additional water" available to flow into the lake during this time, the report states.

Rises in the Great Salt Lake continue until it is at its peak water elevation of around 4,195 feet, the report states. As of March 18, the lake is standing at 4,190.72 feet.

This is very good news for the lake, which in recent years has seen extremely low water levels due to prolonged drought conditions in the West.

This recovery is all down to the state's accumulation of snowpack in the surrounding mountains, which has been high in recent years.

"February was a great month for Utah's snowpack," the most recent Utah Water Supply Outlook Report states.

In total, the state received 157 percent of its typical amount of snow water equivalent (SWE), it reports.

"Utah's statewide SWE has now exceeded our typical annual peak, meaning that even if we don't receive any more snow this winter, we are still guaranteed an above normal snowpack season," the report reads.

"With the historic 2023 winter barely in our rearview mirror, it's outstanding to see this winter come through with above normal conditions. Better yet, all of Utah's major basins now have above normal snowpack except for the Beaver (which is close), so the benefits of another good snowpack season are likely to be felt statewide. That said, northern Utah has done particularly well thus far this winter season."

The Great Salt Lake is vital to local ecosystems and the economy. Therefore, it was particularly concerning when it reached record low water levels in November 2022.

If the Great Salt Lake were to dry up, it would pose a number of dangers to Utah. A drying lake could cause dust pollution because the lake covers such a vast area. The amount of dust created could be harmful to public health.

Correction 03/19/2024 ET 12.37 p.m: This article was corrected to state that the Great Salt Lake is not nearly at capacity and to remove the statement that it directly provides drinking water.

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