Utah’s spring runoff is well underway, and state officials are optimistic about its potential to replenish the Great Salt Lake and restore its ecological health. The lake’s south arm has seen a significant rise in elevation, reaching 4,194.6 feet. This is a notable improvement compared to its record low in late 2022, when the lake faced the threat of ecological collapse.
The record-breaking snowfall last year contributed to a massive influx of water into the Great Salt Lake, but most of it benefited the south arm due to the closed breach in the causeway separating the two arms. This year, officials decided to leave the breach open, allowing the north arm to also receive water. As a result, the north arm has experienced a remarkable recovery, rising roughly 2.5 feet above its record low point.
Despite the recent warm and dry spell, the state’s snowpack remains above average, and reservoirs that drain into the Great Salt Lake are at around 85% capacity. Water conservancy districts have already begun releasing flows into the lake, and more releases are expected this summer.
Typically, the Great Salt Lake reaches its yearly peak around May 1st, but due to the above-average snowpack, officials expect it to peak later than usual this year. The Natural Resource Conservation Service estimates that the spring runoff could increase the lake’s levels by as much as 1.5 feet. If this estimate proves accurate, the south arm could rise to an elevation of 4,196 feet, which would mark the highest level since 2013.
While the recent gains in water levels are encouraging, officials emphasize that the lake still falls short of the 4,198-foot elevation considered ecologically healthy. However, as the lake’s levels rise, its surface area also increases, meaning more water is required to continue filling it, especially as evaporation becomes more pronounced in the shallow areas.
Currently, there is no definitive estimate of the amount of water needed for the lake to reach a healthy level. Nonetheless, experts believe that the lake’s levels have now returned to where they were in 2019, which, although not ideal, is a positive sign. Officials stress that restoring the Great Salt Lake to ecological health will require a sustained effort and ongoing monitoring.
