The GSL is the largest saline lake in the western hemisphere and receives all waters not evaporated or consumed in the watershed

The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $50,000,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Utah Department of Natural Resources on January 17, 2025 under the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief (CFDA 15.514) program. The award will support a multi-faceted program to ensure the sustainability of the Great Salt Lake (GSL) in Utah. Key elements of the program include: 1) voluntary water acquisitions to increase flow into the GSL through temporary reductions in diversions or consumptive use of water, 2) system conservation efforts to reduce water use, and 3) ecosystem and habitat restoration projects within the GSL basin harmed by long-term drought. The GSL is a critical environmental and economic resource for Utah, providing habitat for millions of migratory birds and contributing $1.3 billion annually to the state's economy through mineral extraction and other industries. This award aims to enhance the water supply reliability and long-term drought resilience of the GSL system.

The GSL watershed is home to 2.8 million people, more than 83% of utahs population. Millions of birds, comprising over 330 species, rely on the GSL as a critical link to the pacific flyway. The GSL builds the wasatch fronts famous snowpack with lake effect snow, an ecological benefit as well as an economic one, which supports utahs vibrant SKI and tourism industry. The GSL contributes $1.3 billion to utahs economy as north americas primary source of magnesium, the source of 40% of the worlds artemia cysts, and the largest north american source for sulfate of potash. The recipient shall implement a multi-faceted program (voluntary water acquisitions, system conservation and ecosystem and habitat restoration), to ensure the sustainability of the GSL. Collectively, the program will increase flow into the GSL through temporary reductions in diversions or consumptive use of water, reduce water use through system conservation efforts, and restore ecosystems and habitats harmed by long-term drought within the GSL basin.