Author(s): Paige Smith, Kelli Rusnak, Shelby Moss, Megan Wester, Hannah Hunt, Alexis Grammer
Mentor(s): Franz Busse
Institution BYU
The Great Salt Lake has been an integral part of Utah's ecosystem for thousands of years and a hallmark of the state’s cultural heritage since 1847. Since its creation from the drainage of the ancient Lake Bonneville, Great Salt Lake has thrived at an average elevation of approximately 4,196ft. However, in 2022, Great Salt Lake hit a record low elevation of 4,188.5 feet, dropping 12 feet from that healthy average and losing half of its surface area. Any further drop in this elevation could have devastating effects for this unique ecosystem, Utah’s economy, and the health of Utah’s population. Despite this, Great Salt Lake’s status remains a contentious topic, surrounded by heated disagreements among stakeholders about the cause of the lake’s decline, the related consequences, and the success of current attempts to raise the lake’s level. This paper seeks to take a step back, and, through the lens of social impact, deeply understand the problem facing the Great Salt Lake to gain a better grasp on the complexity of the issue and what steps should be taken to solve it. Through secondary and qualitative research, we address the causes of Great Salt Lake’s decline, consider the potential consequences of such decline, analyze the involvement of the issue’s main stakeholders, and evaluate the effectiveness and viability of current practices designed to help the lake. We then identify and analyze several gaps that create barriers against the implementation and expansion of solution efforts. Through this research, we are working to develop and pilot interventions that could improve the health of the Great Salt Lake.