The Colorado Springs Gazette final

Drought pushes parts of Great Salt levels

The southern portion of Great Salt Lake in Utah is at its lowest levels since recording began in 1847, as the state reels in extreme drought that doesn’t seem poised to let up. The U.S. Geological Survey said last week that water levels had dropped an inch beneath the previous record of 1963. Taking action to reverse the declining situation is crucial, experts said. “Based on current trends and historical data, the USGS anticipates water levels may decline an additional foot over the next several months,” USGS Utah Water Science Center data chief Ryan Rowland said in the statement. A reduced snowpack over the winter meant the lake started its spring season already depleted, Laura Vernon, Great Salt Lake coordinator for the Utah Department of Natural Resources, told the Salt Lake Tribune. Spring snowmelt usually sends the lake up 2 feet, or 3 to 4 feet “in an awesome year,” she said. “This year, it only went up 6 inches. So it just never had a chance.”

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2021-07-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://daily.gazette.com/article/283983245382814

The Gazette, Colorado Springs