SALT LAKE CITY — On Aug. 5, the Utah Division of Water Rights unveiled a draft plan to manage Great Salt Lake water distribution.
Per the Division of Water Rights, the plan includes a water accounting tool to help regulate water consumption by mineral extraction companies that divert water from the lake.
According to Utah State Engineer Teresa Wilhelmsen, the move aims to fulfill a requirement imposed by the legislature two years ago.
"Two years ago, the State Legislature gave us a mandate to develop a clear administrative process that helps address declining lake conditions while respecting existing water rights,” Wilhelmsen said.
What does the plan do for Great Salt Lake water?
According to Wilhelmsen, developing the plan required accounting for the following factors: basin hydrology, lake levels, salinity and lake level sustaining water dedicated by users.
While developing the Great Salt Lake water distribution plan, the division considered water rights priorities held by mineral extraction companies. A press release explained that water rights are allocated based on seniority, as well as arrangements with the state that were voluntarily initiated by companies.
“An arrangement might be something like agreeing to ‘dedicate’ or ‘donate’ water rights to support the health of the lake,” Wilhelmsen said. “By recognizing voluntary agreements, the state hopes to incentivize businesses to ‘do the right thing’ and give back to the lake.”
Plan is not official, yet
The Great Salt Lake water plan has not been adopted yet — that is set to be decided on Oct. 1. If it is approved, it will go into effect in January 2026.
Under the effort, conditions will be evaluated annually in June. Based on recorded levels in the south arm, water rights will be allocated to mineral extractors by the State Engineer, according to the press release.
Cuts, referred to as curtailments in the plan, can also be made. They will be determined based upon tiers established in the distribution plan. If levels rise, fewer cuts will be made. If water levels decline, more cuts are in store.
According to the press release, tiers apply when lake levels fall between 4,193 feet and 4,200 feet above sea level.
Should the lake fall below 4,193 feet, the Division of Water Rights said all mineral extraction will be cut, unless companies have entered voluntary agreements with the state of Utah.
