Removing invasive reeds from the Great Salt Lake could yield an estimated 82,000 more acre-feet of water annually, according to a September 20 report. State land managers informed legislators at the Utah Capitol that this amount is sufficient to meet the annual indoor water needs for a community the size of West Valley City.
Lawmakers on the Legislative Water Development Commission agreed on Thursday that eliminating phragmites is a high-priority task in the state's effort to deliver 800,000 more acre-feet of water each year. Keith Hambrecht, a restoration manager with the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, noted that similar efforts at Utah Lake reduced reed cover by nearly 90%.
While the state has made progress across thousands of acres, Hambrecht said the work requires continued time and funding. The state has allocated $2.2 million this year toward the effort, whereas previous annual expenditures were $800,000. If financial commitments continue, Hambrecht stated the state could remove the majority of the reeds around the lake within the next decade.
The challenge extends beyond the lake's shore, as phragmites are located throughout the watershed in streams, canals, and ditches. Managing these upstream sources is described by Hambrecht as logistically difficult and likely more expensive.
Success in these efforts is also influenced by weather and drought conditions. Because herbicides are less effective during dry years, the state prioritizes treatments during wet periods. Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, stated that the state can cause significant damage to the phragmites if funding is provided at the appropriate time.
To address the spread of the plants across the watershed, the panel discussed the need for increased coordination among counties, potentially with assistance from the Great Salt Lake commissioner.
