If the Great Salt Lake dried up, the consequences would be severe and multifaceted, impacting the environment, economy, public health, and climate:

Environmental Impact

• The lake is a keystone ecosystem supporting millions of migratory birds and a unique food web based on brine shrimp and brine flies. As the lake shrinks and salinity rises (now around 17-19%), these species cannot survive, leading to ecosystem collapse and loss of biodiversity

• The collapse of the food chain would affect millions of migratory birds that rely on the lake as a critical stopover

Economic Impact

• The lake supports industries that harvest minerals and brine shrimp, which feed millions worldwide. Drying up would halt these vital mineral and magnesium supplies, affecting sectors like aluminum strengthening and agriculture

• Economic activity related to the lake is estimated at $2.5 billion annually, supporting thousands of jobs. Its disappearance could cost Utah $1.7 to $2.2 billion per year and destroy over 6,600 jobs

• Tourism and winter sports in the Salt Lake City area would suffer due to changes in local climate and snow conditions

Public Health Impact

• The exposed lakebed contains toxic substances such as arsenic, mercury, and lead. Winds would pick up this dust, spreading toxic particles that worsen asthma, cardiovascular issues, lung development problems, and increase cancer and infant mortality rates among the roughly 3.3 million residents nearby

• Dust pollution from the dry lakebed is already a major source of air pollution in the region and could worsen dramatically, affecting the Intermountain West broadly

Climate Impact

• The drying lakebed emits millions of tons of greenhouse gases (about 4 million tons of CO2 annually), contributing significantly to Utah’s man-made emissions and climate warming

• The lake’s decline is driven by climate change, drought, and human water diversion, creating a feedback loop that exacerbates regional climate issues

Summary

The Great Salt Lake drying up would lead to ecological collapse, economic losses, serious public health crises, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. It poses one of the greatest environmental threats in U.S. history, with urgent calls for water conservation and policy changes to prevent this outcome