The 18th and 19th annual Salt Lake County Watershed Symposiums have concluded, providing a platform for researchers and officials to address critical water management challenges facing Utah, including the preservation of the Great Salt Lake and the impacts of climate change on regional watersheds.
2024 Symposium Highlights
The 18th annual symposium, held on November 20-21, 2024, featured a diverse array of presentations focused on the future of watershed stewardship. The event opened with a keynote address titled "Framing the Future of Watershed Stewardship" delivered by Brenda Bowen. During the sessions, officials provided updates on the Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan and discussed the next steps from the Great Salt Lake Commissioner's Office, featuring Brian Steed and Tim Davis.
Scientific Research and Environmental Impact
Research presented during the 2024 event examined the specific impacts of phosphorus sources on Utah Lake and their role in triggering harmful algal blooms. Experts also investigated the social value of water in aquifer storage and recovery projects, as well as the historical life ways of the Wuda Ogwa (Bear River). Other technical sessions addressed the quantification of dust impacts on snowmelt in the Great Salt Lake Basin and the analysis of fish tissue contaminants within the watershed.
2025 Symposium and Restoration Efforts
The 19th annual symposium, which took place on November 19-20, 2025, shifted focus toward emerging scientific and policy challenges. Nalini M. Nadkarni delivered the keynote address, titled "Harnessing the Generative Power of Disturbance for Our Lives, Our Lives, and Our Planet." A central theme of the 2025 event included the feasibility of large-scale restoration, specifically through a session titled "Will Utah Pull Off the World’s First Saline Lake Restoration?" led by Benjamin Abbott.
Addressing Great Salt Lake Dust
The 2025 proceedings also addressed the specific economic and environmental concerns regarding Great Salt Lake dust. A session titled "Utah’s Multi-Billion Dollar Bomb: Great Salt Lake Dust" explored these risks, while another presentation by Kevin Perry detailed the costs and descriptions of potential dust control options. Additionally, researchers discussed the monitoring of weather and evaporation near the Great Salt Lake and the potential future of water availability relative to rock glaciers in the Wasatch mountains.
Municipal Water Management Challenges
Urban and municipal water management were recurring themes across both years. In 2024, discussions included decoupling municipal and industrial water use from population growth to assist the Great Salt Lake. In 2025, the symposium addressed the finding that the Great Salt Lake is not a top-of-mind priority for many municipal water managers in the basin. Other 2025 sessions covered the unified water infrastructure plan for funding projects and the importance of stormwater management for contractors and developers.
Education and Community Engagement
The symposium also emphasized the importance of education and community engagement in watershed health. Presentations included topics such as Utah's new K-12 water curriculum and the use of social media to amplify watershed efforts. The event served as a nexus for various stakeholders, including irrigation companies, wetland managers, and restoration groups like the Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, which presented on the Wuda Ogwa restoration.
A Forum for Watershed Stewardship
Both annual events utilized various formats, including keynote speeches, poster sessions, and documentary screenings, such as the film "UPRIVER" shown during the 2024 event. The symposium continues to serve as a vital forum for discussing climate resiliency, fire mitigation in the Wasatch Mountains, and the evolving landscape of Utah's water resources.
