Alpine City will host its final 2026 Water Education Open House on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. at Alpine Elementary School. The event features BYU Associate Professor Ben Abbott, a plant and wildlife sciences researcher and leader of the nonprofit Grow the Flow, who will discuss the impact of human activity on the health of the Great Salt Lake.
The discussion follows a report released Sept. 15 by University of Utah researchers and the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy. Titled Options and Costs for Great Salt Lake Dust Control, the study was commissioned by the Utah Division of Water Resources to assist with the Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan.
According to the report, the current lake elevation of 4,192 feet is linked to an estimated $115.79 million in annual health costs. These costs include approximately 6.24 premature deaths, 17,052 work-loss days, and nearly 17,748 school absences each year. The report also noted that over 800 square miles of lakebed have been exposed to wind erosion, with 70 square miles currently serving as active dust hotspots.
If the lake elevation reaches 4,183 feet, annual health costs are projected to rise to $133.67 million. Conversely, raising the lake to a minimum healthy elevation of 4,198 feet could reduce annual costs to $73.39 million. Cumulative health costs through 2060 are estimated to reach $5.79 billion under current conditions, compared to $3.71 billion if the lake is maintained at the minimum healthy elevation.
The report suggests that engineered dust controls for the 70 square miles of hotspots could cost between $3.2 billion and $31 billion, according to Phys.org. Lead author and University of Utah atmospheric sciences professor Kevin Perry suggested the state should use data to identify high-risk areas and reserve engineered controls for locations where evidence shows they are necessary.
Laura Vernon, the Great Salt Lake Basin planner for the Division of Water Resources, stated that delivering water to the lake is the most cost-effective way to suppress dust and that the report findings will help shape long-term water management recommendations.
The Alpine City open house concludes a monthly series held since May regarding water conservation and waterwise landscaping. The Alpine Water Citizen Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet next on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m.
