The consequences of this lake shrinking (or ultimately disappearing at this point) is significant. Not just for Utahns, but for the entire rocky mountain region.

First off, this lake was a lifeblood for millions of migrating birds across the "pacific flyway" which is the one of the largest migratory routes in the world. Losing the lake is literally extinction to many species that couldn't survive a migration without this stopover.

Next you have the lakeborn dust. Utah already has the dirtiest air in the country and that will only get worse as the toxic dust mixes with the smog. This could turn the air in salt lake and utah county into actual hazards that require masks to go outside (and we know how much Utahns loved wearing masks last time they were asked to do that).

Furthermore the shrinking lake means less snow. As storms pass over utah, they absorb moisture as they cross the salt lake, which causes precipitation to be released as they pass over the mountains. This means that one of Utah's most famous pasttimes and tourist destinations, the mountains will get worse over time.

And when there is less snow, that means less meltoff filling the rivers and streams in the mountains, which leads to water shortages for the citizens and a dryier changing landscapes as the mountains that Utah loves so much turn from lush forests to arid deserts. This furthermore changes and risks populations of wildlife that require these mountains to survive.

So yes, its an eye sore. But it is hugely significant to the entire Utah ecosystem. But not only Utah, a drying salt lake will also have devastating affects on Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado.

Utah's agricultural water usage is overwhelmingly (68%) alfalfa and hay, of which 30% gets sent overseas [0]. Speaking as a Utahn, there's no good reason for Utah of all places to export agricultural goods. I'm all for eating local, but we don't have to climate to be an exporter, and right now at least 1/5 of the water diverted from the Great Salt Lake is not only leaving Utah, it's leaving the country.

> and before people start complaining about the ecological impact there is almost no wildlife that is dependent upon the lake except for brine shrimp and flies, not exactly endanger species.

I don't know how you can possibly know that—large bodies of water generally have an enormous effect on the local climate, which obviously all local plant and animal life depends on. The concern over the loss of the lake isn't just about first order effects, it's about second order effects, and while those are rather hard to predict they will certainly extend beyond brine shrimp and flies.

EDIT: I really dislike when people edit their original posts instead of just replying to the comments they're replying to, but since we're playing that game I'll just note that your repeated use of the word "wasted" with regards to water going in to the Great Salt Lake shows that you have absolutely zero understanding of the water cycle. I recommend brushing up on that before taking grand sweeping stances about the value of water pooled in large bodies.

[0] https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2022/11/24/one-crop-...

The article mentioned the fact that the lake came up a little - slightly - this year, but that’s anomalous weather and not a trend. The trend is clear that there are only a few years left for the lake at current rates. The lake was at it’s lowest point ever 1 year ago, when it got so low they had to haul all of the boats out of the marina and it went dry.

You can watch the lake shrink in the aerial animation here: https://wildlife.utah.gov/gslep/about/water-levels.html#:~:t...)

If the concerns about arsenic are accurate - and I’ve heard Salt Lake is already starting to experience increased health issues from the lake dust - then I pretty strongly disagree that sales of alfalfa (a notoriously thirsty crop) are more important.

> resources exist to be used

False. Resources exist, and we humans take them at will and use them for our own profits at the expense of other humans and animals, until they start becoming a big enough ecological problem, or until there is contention over the resources between humans. This case is both of those - there is contention between people who use the lake and farmers, and there is a looming ecological problem for the population of Salt Lake if the like dries up.

My understanding is that people are mainly concerned about toxic lakebed dust.

I’ve read/heard that a bulk of the alfalfa grown in Utah is exported to other countries:

https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/editorial/2022/12/04/why-its-...

> Almost a third of it is exported, mostly to China, taking far too much of our water with it.

So basically, the state is letting other countries effectively over farm Utah, destroying it while it’s at it, giving Utah little in return.

Meanwhile residents are being asked to “slow the flow” and water their lawns less, etc. No. Utah government just needs to start doing their job, pay attention to consumption, and properly govern.

One or two good rain years should not distract us from the real problem either.

I don't live in the area but isn't the toxic dust of all the heavy metals going to be a problem? Is there some way to deal with that other than covering them all up with water so they don't get blown into the city?

At least flies and other insects are a common food for birds.

These sites are all on the Jordan river, and it’s tributaries, which empty into the great salt lake.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_River_(Utah)#Pollution

I used to live within walking distance of the Jordan river, in Rose Park by the fairgrounds. I remember getting warned not to play in it.