Diverting water away from the Great Salt Lake began in 1850
Diverting water away from the Great Salt Lake began in 1850
We've transitioned from a system with surplus capacity to a system operating in permanent deficit. Engineered water diversions made Utah what it is today, and also made the Great Salt Lake what it is today. Recognition of the sacrifice we have asked of the Lake, and the impact of its dying throes today on the very lifestyle and economy it helped to create allow us to plan how to save both the Lake and our Wasatch Front way of life.
First, here is a more detailed look at the Great Salt Lake Water Budget, and how it has changed over time.
Author's note: this budget and the explorer below is for conceptual use only. Detailed complations by professionals include USU Prof. D. Tarboton's Hydroshare and Peterson and Eyring's GSL Accounting sites. The below is merely one flawed attempt at visualizing the Hydroshare data.