10,000 Acre-Feet of Water to Benefit Great Salt Lake, Jordan River, Birds, Habitats and Communities

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This Press Release was originally posted on the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust website on September 16, 2024. The Trust is co-managed by National Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy.

SALT LAKE CITY—Great Salt Lake will benefit from 10,000 additional acre-feet of water thanks to a partnership between the National Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy—as co-managers of the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust—in partnership with Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. The water will be delivered from upstream storage in Utah Lake, and flow through the Jordan River to Great Salt Lake’s Farmington and Gilbert Bays through mid-October.

Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (Jordan Valley Water) is donating 5,300 acre-feet of water, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church) is donating 1,700 acre-feet of water, and the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust (the Trust) is leasing 3,000 acre-feet of water, with all water sourced from Welby Jacob Water Users Company shares. The Utah Divisions of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL) will place the water to beneficial use at Great Salt Lake.

“Delivering new water to Great Salt Lake is essential to preserve the health of the lake and Utah communities, as well as protect the habitats for millions of birds that rely on it,” said Marcelle Shoop, Executive Director of the Trust and National Audubon Society’s Saline Lakes Director. “We are grateful for the vision and commitment of many partners, for this innovative late season water release to diversify benefits to the lake and its wetlands, as well as the Jordan River. We look forward to future opportunities to repeat these efforts in years to come.”

While the 2024 spring season flows increased Great Salt Lake water levels, ongoing flows are needed to reach healthy levels. Now the lake will receive additional flows this fall through this key collaboration.

“This release to Great Salt Lake is made possible by four key factors: water conservation efforts of residents and businesses in Salt Lake Valley, important changes to water rights laws adopted by the legislature over the last few years, Jordan Valley’s effective use of its existing water storage and conveyance infrastructure, and a strong snowpack,” says Alan Packard, General Manager of Jordan Valley Water. 

Migrating shorebirds, waterfowl and other waterbirds will benefit as their habitats receive these additional flows. Increased water flows to the lake can also aid with salinity management in the South Arm, and in some cases improve capacity to control the spread of botulism and other diseases.

“Additional flows late in the water season are particularly beneficial during dry, warm conditions when there are risks of avian botulism,” DWR Director J Shirley said. “Over 12 million birds, represented by 339 species, utilize the Great Salt Lake and its associated wetlands. The ecosystem that the Great Salt Lake and its wetlands provide is crucial for these birds, and we applaud the ongoing efforts to conserve these habitat areas and the lake.” 

The release will take place during Jordan River Commission’s Get To the River Festival, highlighting that in addition to the benefits to Great Salt Lake, these flows will benefit Jordan River and bordering communities, ecologically and recreationally, as the water moves down some 51 river miles.

“The Church continues to look for ways to care for the Great Salt Lake and the ecosystem that depends on it. This latest donation is another step in that effort. We consider it a divine responsibility to care for the earth and be wise stewards of God’s creation,” said Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Media Contacts:  

Shaela Adams, Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust[email protected]; 385-355-4340  
Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust – https://www.gslwatertrust.org/
Kelly Good, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District – [email protected]; 801-565-4376
Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands – https://ffsl.utah.gov/
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources – https://wildlife.utah.gov/ 
Wade Tuft, Welby Jacobs Water Users – 801-716-0141
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