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Why is it that weather people are making a big deal about the level of the Great Salt Lake because of the drought?

It isn't as though they can use that water for anything the way Lake Mead is used.

Why is it that weather people are making a big deal about the level of the Great Salt Lake because of the drought? It isn't as though they can use that water for anything the way Lake Mead is used.

6 comments

[–] leaderofnopack 2 points (+2|-0)

You also have Owens Lake, Salton Sea, Walker Lake,Pyramid Lake and so many others. As for Great Salt Lake, without it we have no salt used for deicers, road salt, water softeners and salt licks for livestock. https://www.standard.net/news/environment/mineral-extraction-on-great-salt-lake-has-local-national-and-global-impact/article_875d73e9-9100-54a5-a0e9-371e012c3945.html

[–] [Deleted] 1 points (+1|-0)

You don't need the "lake" for the salt. You only need for the water to evaporate ;-)

[–] CountHonorius 1 points (+1|-0)

I'd hate for the lake to dry up and become like those Middle Eastern salt deserts. Although as others have noted, this would be valuable to industry.

[–] PhunkyPlatypus 0 points (+0|-0)

People only care because they've heard of it. Same with lake mead, but that is of far more consequence. This inspired me to look at some of the local resoviors here in Oregon and they are all shockingly low. Basically 90% at less than 50% and a startling number in the single digits.