Utah’s Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western hemisphere.
But every year, you have to work a little harder for this view.
Its at a much lower level than weve seen at any point in history.
In December 2022, the lake hit a record low surface elevation: 4,188.5 feet.
(Historically, the lake has sat around 4,200 feet on average.)
Activists are calling for aminimum level of 4,198 feetto maintain a healthy ecosystem.
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As a result, for years, very little water was left over to refill the lake.
Were at a really critical point to take action before things are barreling too far out of our control.
Its a final destination for water, says Blouin.
Everything that happens around the lake ends up there.
Over time, these materials accumulate in the lake as sediment.
(This left-behind salt is what gives the Great Salt Lake its salinity in the first place.)
These contaminants have been flushed into the lakeout of sight, out of mind, says Blakowski.
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Between 2019 and 2021, dust emissions from the lakebed increased, according to Blakowski.
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After decades of human activity, the contaminants could be blown back into our faces, says Blakowski.
But its not just the air that could be hazardous.
In her research, Blakowski found that heavy metals in dust leach into garden vegetables through the soil.
Residents could experience effects depending on whats on their plate.
A lot of people I know are weighing the question of, How long can I live here?
saysNan Seymour, a Salt Lake City resident and activist.
How long until clouds of dust make it hard to breathe?
Until the air that residents breathe is toxic?
Its a big deal.
It has been a central piece in my spiritual healing, she says.
Its painful to see the water out that farit feels like a friend is leaving, says Woodbury.
Brine shrimp and brine flies, the two dominant lake species, feed on these underwater mats.
But when the microbialites rest above the waters surface, the sun bleaches them; some die from exposure.
Without the microbialites, brine shrimp and flies are deprived of their primary food source.
The impacts reverberate up the food chain, as migratory birds rely on these species.
This year, I didnt even have to leave the campgroundthe whole bay was striated with [mats].
The Great Salt Lake is also an essential stop for migratory birds.
Birds will arrive looking for food, says Woodbury, an activist and birdwatcher.
They wont find any and will essentially die.
This year during Seymours vigil, Seymour saw over 500 bodies of dead grebes, an aquatic bird species.
It was a hard thing to be with, says Seymour.
Imagine this times 10 when [the birds] wont have sustenance next year.
The target level4,198 feetwould serve as a measure to evaluate the success of conservation policies.
But Blouin cautions against seeing this as a miracle fix.
It is a gift and we ought to rise to it, says Seymour.
Theres a lot of energy surrounding the lake right now, says Blakowski.
Citizen involvement is crucial to showing lawmakers that residents care about this issue.
And while the window to act is closing, its not closed.
We have to speak on behalf of the lake.
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