WATER CONSERVATION
As the second driest state in the US yet also one of the fastest growing, water is a precious resource in Utah. Many factors are causing significant annual water loss for Utah Lake. The Utah Lake Restoration project will clean, restore, and conserve the lake’s water while preserving and enhancing surrounding wetlands.
WHY WATER CONSERVATION
By 2050, an estimated 2.4 million additional people will be living in Utah. The state faces a historic water crisis, as 98% of the state is experiencing extreme drought.
Ongoing drought, dry conditions, and a major influx of people will put significant strain on Utah’s already diminishing water supply. Conservation efforts like this one are absolutely critical to ensure Utahns have access to water right now and in the future.
WHY DOES UTAH LAKE LOSE SO MUCH WATER?
Consider this: The surface area of Utah Lake is 90,000 acres, but the lake is naturally with an average depth of only nine feet. While the total volume of water in the lake is about 278 billion gallons, shallow depths across the lake, along with some other factors, result in the evaporation of about 44% of its water volume every year—up to a whopping 122 billion gallons lost. That’s more than 184,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools!
WE MUST PROTECT OUR WATER
As you can see, evaporation is a major problem facing the lake and the water supply of our state. The Utah Lake Restoration Project plans to reduce evaporation in four ways:
ISLAND
CREATION
Creating islands will reduce the overall surface area of the lake, while providing a place to store and sequester nutrient-loaded sediment.
IMPROVED WATER CLEANLINESS
Clean water coupled with an increased average depth, will reduce temperatures on the lake’s surface, meaning less evaporation.
BETTER
CIRCULATION
Enhancing water circulation within the lake will further reduce lake surface temperatures to prevent evaporation.
REMOVAL OF
INVASIVE REEDS
Phragmites is negatively impacting the health of the lake and its water levels. We’ll safely remove these invasive reeds and replace them with native species.
WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Look at these numbers and consider the positive impact our project will have.
30 BILLION GALLONS
Our water loss prevention efforts could save up to 30 billion gallons of water per year—enough water to support between 600,000 to 1 million Utah residents annually.
UP TO 20%
Planned reduction of the lake’s surface area to produce evaporation savings and environmental benefits—while increasing public access.
386,000 ACRE-FEET
Increase of Utah Lake’s water storage capacity, which will be made possible by recontouring the lakebed.
Disclaimer: The numbers presented on this site are based on conceptual plans and preliminary modeling. Numbers are subject to change as additional data, engineering, modeling, and modifications to the plan result from the permitting process led by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
DRIVEN BY SCIENCE.
POWERED BY PASSION.
We’re working with world-class scientists and engineers to save Utah Lake after more than 150 years of degradation. Our plans are informed by proven technology and data to ensure a responsible, sustainable path forward for the lake and surrounding area. Learn all about the partnerships, studies, and assessments that are driving this project from concept to reality.
