Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty remains completely visible at the Rozel Point peninsula on the northeastern shore of Great Salt Lake, a state made possible by ongoing droughts and receding water levels. The 1,500-foot-long earthwork, constructed in 1970, currently sits nearly one mile away from the lake's edge.
Composition of the sculpture
The sculpture, which winds counterclockwise into the water, was built using more than 6,000 tons of black basalt rocks and earth taken directly from the site. According to the Dia Art Foundation, the work is a 15-foot-wide coil made of basalt boulders that are remnants of extinct volcanoes in the area.
Details on original construction
Construction of the piece took place in April 1970. As reported by Visit Utah, the project required six days of labor, involving 625 man-hours, 292 truck-hours, and a total cost of $9,000. The crew utilized dump trucks, a tractor, and a front loader to displace the massive amount of material needed for the coil.
History of fluctuating water levels
The history of the site is defined by fluctuating water levels. While the work was submerged in 1972 due to high water levels, it has remained visible since 2002 when droughts caused the lake to recede. The Dia Art Foundation, which has owned and stewarded the artwork since it was donated in 1999 by Nancy Holt, the artist's wife, and the Estate of Robert Smithson, has recorded these changes through annual photographic documentation since 2012.
Artistic vision and entropy
This environmental volatility is central to the artist's vision. Smithson was preoccupied with the concept of entropy—the idea of an artwork in a state of constant transformation and decay. The fractured landscape and salinity of the water reflect this focus on the third law of thermodynamics.
Geological properties of Rozel Point
The site's location at Rozel Point was chosen for its specific ecological and geological properties. Smithson was drawn to the reddish coloration of the water, which is caused by high microbial presence, and the molecular lattice shape of salt-crystal deposits found throughout the lake.
Impact of recent environmental changes
Recent environmental changes have brought new observations to the site. Visit Utah noted that low water levels have increased the natural presence of tar around the Spiral Jetty shoreline, advising visitors to watch their step. Additionally, the receding water has had visible impacts on local wildlife, such as pelicans on nearby Gunnison Island; researchers Bonnie Baxter and Jaimi Butler of the Great Salt Lake Institute have observed carcasses of baby pelicans that cannot fly far enough to reach food due to the shrinking lake.
Scientific interest in the area extends beyond art. The Great Salt Lake Institute at Westminster College is partnering with NASA to use infrared technology to examine the lake's salt and gypsum. This research aims to determine if salt-loving microbes found in the crystals could serve as an analog for potential life on Mars.
Data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides a technical look at the water chemistry at the Spiral Jetty monitoring location. While continuous daily measurements were not available in recent datasets, historical discrete samples collected between December 2002 and October 2013 documented various inorganic properties of the lake water, including levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride, fluoride, silica, and sulfate.
Visitors to the site are asked to adhere to a "leave no trace" policy to preserve the environment. The Dia Art Foundation prohibits taking rocks from the artwork, trampling vegetation, or creating fire pits near the site, noting that such actions can result in significant fines. Drones are also not permitted on Dia property.
Because the site is remote, visitors are advised to bring food, water, and waterproof boots, as there are no bathrooms or fresh water available at the jetty itself. The nearest amenities, including drinking water and restrooms, are located at the Golden Spike National Historic Site Visitor Center.
