The Great Salt Lake is running out of time.
Toxic dust storms, collapsing ecosystems, and long-term health risks are already here. What we do now determines Utah’s future.
Utahns Who Have Stepped Up
voices calling for urgent lake action
How Much the Lake Has Disappeared
By The Numbers
What The Science Tells Us
A Shrinking Lake
Since 1850, the lake has lost 73% of its water volume and 60% of its surface area. This exposes toxic dust and damages not only human health, but ecosystem health as well. As water levels decrease, salinity increases, creating an inhospitable environment for everything living in and aroud it.
BYU Plant and Wildlife Sciences →Arsenic Dust
As the lakebed dries, arsenic-rich dust becomes airborne. Studies show concentrations “above long-term safe exposure thresholds.” This toxic dust will lead to ever-increasing rates of health problems amongst Utahns, with children and pregnant women being the most vulnurable groups.
Univ. of Utah Atmospheric Sciences →Ecological Collapse
The lake supports 10 million migratory birds every year. Biologists warn the area may face ecological collapse if salinity continues rising and keystone species are lost. Ecological collapse also means that the many indsutries that rely on the health of the lake would also have to leave. This could lead to nationwide effects as the Great Salt Lake Basin is a keystone ecosystem in the planets Western Hemisphere.
Salt Lake Tribune →Ski Economy Decline
Utah is known for the worlds best snow. The lake-effect phenomenon from the Great Salt Lake accounts for up to 10% of the snowfall in the Cottonwood canyons and extends the ski season by 5 to 7 weeks. This is all threatened by a shrinking lake.
Deseret News →Water Management
The lakes decline is predominantly a water management issue, not environmental. Water consumption from irrigation for agriculture as well as the municipal and idustrial sectors account for a combined "estimated 67%-73% of the current lake-level decline". Irrigation for agriculture alone "is responsible for nearly two-thirds of the diverted water consumption". Utah holds the fate of the lake in how it manages its water.
USU Climate Adaptation & Resiliency →
If the lake disappears, everything changes.
As more lakebed becomes exposed, toxic minerals such as arsenic become airborne. Families already report increased asthma, ER visits, and chronic respiratory symptoms.
But the danger doesn’t stop with breathing problems. Research from the National Institutes of Health warns that long-term exposure to arsenic and heavy metal dust drastically increases risks of cancers, including lung, thyroid, bladder, and skin cancer.
This isn’t theoretical — it’s already happening elsewhere. The collapse of Lake Urmia in Iran is a documented warning. As the lake dried, toxic dust storms increased, respiratory disease surged, and researchers now report rising cancer rates linked to airborne pollutants.
The Great Salt Lake isn’t just a lake. It’s a life-support system for Utah’s people, wildlife, and economy — and without action, we risk repeating the same public health disaster seen at Lake Urmia.
What Your Signup Does
1. Adds your voice to a statewide count
Every signup increases the number of Utahns calling for urgent action. We use this growing total to show elected leaders how many of us care.
2. Helps pressure lawmakers to act
When we reach key milestones, we send aggregated supporter totals to Utah representatives and state officials to push for stronger water policy.
3. Keeps you updated on progress
You’ll receive important updates on lake levels, legislative actions, and opportunities to help — no spam, just meaningful updates.
Add Your Voice
Join thousands demanding urgent action.