Will Utah's Great Salt Lake disappear?

Utah's Great Salt Lake has been in decline, owing to climate change, drought, and over-use of water resources, and is now one-third the size it was in the 1980s. A new scientific report warns that, without dramatic and immediate cuts in water consumption, the lake could vanish in just five years. Correspondent Lee Cowan talks with Sen. Mitt Romney, who co-sponsored a bill studying the lake's problems, and with experts who say aggressive action is needed.
#greatsaltlake #utah #waterconservation

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[RHTeebs]

It's heartbreaking to see a lake you know so well, die. I'm from Buffalo. When Lake Erie was classified as a dead lake, I was devastated. I know it's not quite the same, but, seeing a lake you love, filled with memories, being classified as dead. Unsafe to swim in. It would be awful.

I couldn't even imagine seeing Lake Erie disappear completely.

[xstraightedgechrisx]

I never thought I would ever say I could respect Mitt Romney, but I have to give him due credit for this.

[iansmith]

Utah appears to be ignoring the obvious correction. STOP diverting water away from the lake. No company, individual, nor organization has a right to any of the water that then generates a problem for someone else. Period. End stop. Cut off all diversions by all force necessary, NOW. What part of that does Utah not understand.?

[mrscottygreenwood]

The state knew this was coming and just kept ignoring the problem

[romstar]

For the lake to recede that dramatically over the course of at least 40 years is tragic 😭🥺

[obstinatehammer]

"Alfalfa farming represents 0.2% of the Utah economy but uses 68% of available water." The Salt Lake Tribune

[anthonys.]

As a Salt Lake resident- this is one of many reasons I plan to move out of the valley. Not taking the risk of this with my family.

[loriblessner]

My first visit in the late 80’s, the lake was lapping at I-80 as we drove by, creepy. Last visit in 2019, water nowhere to be seen. I thought I had taken a wrong turn, such a difference 😢

[kitlc]

As a former Utahn, this is so sad. It’s such a naturally beautiful place that deserves to be environmentally protected.

[oquirrhlight]

The disconnect between neighborhood development/home building and water use is nothing short of blindness. They are building homes and apartment complexes like never before. Lawns and trees and golf courses and sanitary needs come with each of these homes. It amazes me how they continue to develop unchecked, like water is infinitely available. We can’t live without agriculture, that’s a waste of time to discuss. However, something needs to be done about the unprecedented development and housing growth in the second driest state in the Union. Politicizing this issue is a waste of energy. Whether you believe in global warming or not is a waste of energy. The fact is, our growth exceeded our resources many decades ago and yet we march on as if everything will always be ok.

[adamwallace]

Hey Mitt, if you really want to fix the Great Salt Lake issue... 1. Change the water use, and water rights for the Great Salt Lake watershed. 2. TAX, TAX, TAX! Corporations! such as Exxon Mobil, and others that are directly responsible for causing climate change, and using the tax revenue to fix the problem! Stop letting the organizations causing the problems off the hook!

[annapri]

These kind of stories always make me cry. I'm about to finish my Bachelors of Science in Energy and Sustainability Policy at Penn State and learning about all the damage to our planet over the last 150 years makes me extremely sad and worried everyday.

[guyserious]

Every "fix" to the help our environment is going to cost someone somewhere a profit. It will be said that "jobs are going to be lost." But a job is temporary, and a profit is private. We're talking about our obligation to our descendants.

[crookedbird]

If you live in a dry country you shouldn't have green lawns.

[tribemayamex]

Native americans lived in harmony with nature for 20000years. Usa is only few hundred years in power and land has been depleated of animals, plants, big trees and more. Sad to see it all gone

[pottergirl]

The effects of Owens Lake drying up are incredible for that area of California. For SLC, that's going to be increased a hundred fold.

[ramonnape]

breaks my heart💔im not in utah but i hope there becomes an ambitious plan to save this beautiful wonder of the world, and the citizens of slc!🧡

[kaylenemiller]

Stop building the thousands of apartment and condocomplexes. Stop moving here!

[poolhall]

Yes, that’s what happens when you live in the desert and use more water than the environment can provide…
It’s almost like people shouldn’t live in the desert🤔

[_AA]

Not sure why 2.5 Million people thought it would be wise to live in the desert and not think once about the cost of doing so!....