The water surface elevation of the Great Salt and Lake at Saltair Boat Harbor reached 4191.0 feet on Friday morning, according to real-time monitoring data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This measurement sits well below the historical median elevation of 4194.045 feet recorded for this date.
Morning fluctuations at Saltair Harbor
Continuous monitoring sensors at the Saltair Boat Harbor site recorded a series of slight fluctuations throughout the morning of July 18, 2026. The USGS reported that between 7:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. MDT, the water level moved between 4190.8 feet and 4191.0 feet.
Specifically, the data showed the elevation at 4190.8 feet during several intervals between 7:45 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., before rising slightly to 4190.9 feet and eventually stabilizing at 4191.0 feet by 11:00 a.m. All measurements recorded during this period were classified as provisional.
Comparing current levels to historical averages
The current elevation of 4191.0 feet is notably lower than the historical statistics provided by the USGS for July 18, which are based on 36 years of daily mean data. While the long-term high for this day is recorded at 4203.6 feet, the recent levels are approaching the 25th percentile low of 4190.0 feet.
The lake's median elevation for this time of year is 4194.045 feet, and the 75th percentile mark is significantly higher at 4200.125 feet. The current level also sits below the reported mean value of 4197.004 feet.
Spring and early summer trends
Looking back at measurements from earlier in the year, the water level has shown a gradual decline or stability at lower elevations since the spring. On June 30, 2026, the USGS recorded a field measurement of 4191.14 feet.
Prior to that, in May 2026, measurements were slightly higher, with the USGS reporting an elevation of 4192.01 feet on May 22. In April 2026, the water surface was measured at 4192.16 feet during several readings on April 23.
Station technical specifications
The monitoring station, identified by USGS site number 10010000, tracks the Great Salt Lake within the Great Salt Lake subbasin hydrologic unit (16020310). The station's gage land surface altitude is 4186.8 feet above NGVD 1929.
The site operates in cooperation with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (DNR) and receives cooperative matching funds from the USGS.
Long-term monitoring overview
The data provided by the USGS includes continuous automated sensor data as well as discrete sample data, with some records dating back to 1847. The current monitoring period for the lake's elevation covers a time span of July 11, 2026, through July 18, 2026.
