Welcome Reader!
This website has been created to inform the general population about Utah Lake. Numerous hours have been set aside by Utah Valley University students participating in an Integrated Studies class to create this site. As you venture throughout this site we encourage you to question what you know and have an open mind for learning new things from new perspectives.
...all photos by contributors to the project, unless otherwise noted
...all photos by contributors to the project, unless otherwise noted
Adam JohnsonRAYSA CAPITO CONDE
Adam Johnson, executive director of Conserve Utah Valley, who had great information regarding some of their ongoing projects and what the community can do to get involved.
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Ben AbbottCarlos Plummer & Victor Pereyra
Ben Abbott is a Professor of Environmental Science and Ecology at Brigham Young University. His research and work on how human interaction affects different ecological systems has been vital to furthering our understanding of the complex relationship we have with our environment. This interview highlights his expertise and unique perspective of the importance of conservation efforts of Utah Lake.
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Brady BrammerHeather Hamilton
The Utah Lake Authority came into existence during the 2022 legislative session. With the ULA being so new and with so little history, I interviewed the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Brady Brammer, District 54, Utah County to learn more about what the ULA is about and how it plays a part in the future of Utah Lake. Rep. Brammer sat on the board of the Utah Lake Commission and currently sits on the board of the Utah Lake Authority.
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Geneva SteelSayer Dunkley
An interview with a lovely man named Paul Dunkley. Paul shares his insights and experiences working close to the lake at Geneva Steel.
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Mary Murdock MeyerKlaesara Bybee, Victor Pereyra, & Nathanael Petersen
Mary Murdock Meyer is the Chief Executive of the Timpanogos Nation, and has worked with Ben Abbott in speaking out about preserving Utah Lake. Her Tribe has lived near the lake for generations. Because of this, we felt it was important to hear her perspective on the cultural, historical, spiritual, as well as practical significance of the lake and its impact on the surrounding communities.
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Sam RushforthSam Rushforth is a botanist and the former Dean of Science at Utah Valley University. He has been involved with studying Utah Lake, and specifically diatoms within the lake. He has published books on the subject and has developed beautiful microscopic images of the diatoms. The interview has been edited slightly for clarity.
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Algae Harvesting ProjectAJ Watts
This summer, I had the opportunity to work on Utah Lake on an algae harvesting boat designed by Dr. Shurtleff of the UVU chemistry department, to remove algae from recreational areas on the lake to prevent toxic algal blooms. As someone who loves to be outside in nature, I had an amazing experience this summer and was able to learn so much about this lake that is so important to Utah valley.
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Birding AroundMATTHEW KNOTEK
”Water environments are very important as far as biodiversity is concerned. Wetlands are very productive in the types of wildlife that live there, and birds are just a reflection of that." -Dennis Shirley, native wildlife manager for the Division of Wildlife Resources, Springville
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Fish SpeciesAJ WATTS
Learn about some of the fish that call Utah Lake their home.
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Restoration ControversyHadley Davis
Utah Lake. A beautiful one hundred forty-five square mile freshwater lake with a rich history and hundreds of different species of fish and birds. However, behind all this beauty, several issues could ultimately take away this beautiful lake and historical landmark of Utah. In this paper, I will explore these issues, especially the ongoing controversy over the Utah Lake Restoration Project also known as the LRS.
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A Lake Like No OtherHEATHER HAMILTON
During the winter of ‘23, I made a personal goal to come to know Utah Lake, its history, hardships, and its recent restoration efforts, intending on figuring out what my beliefs and hopes were about the lake. As a student of socioeconomics, I tend to view lakes as a resource to be used for the economic benefit of society. Utah Lake definitely has done that for those living in northern Utah, but not all uses have been done responsibly nor with a mind towards sustainability. What gives rise to patterns of abuse such as those that occurred at Utah Lake?
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Community CollageAPRIL HOWELL
Here you will find almost 400 local sources — books, musicians, podcasts, businesses, etc., each one a piece in Utah’s jigsaw puzzle — merged with an image of Utah Lake. This is by no means a comprehensive list; I primarily chose community contributors that have had an impact on my life or the lives of those I love.
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JournalMATTHEW KNOTEK
There are many bird species that thrive within the shorelines of the several great lakes in Utah. The Great Salt Lake in Northern Utah attracts the largest sums of wildlife as a body of water. As dry of a state as Utah is, its many great lakes offer a tremendous amount of wetland sanctuaries for the birds to thrive in.
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Making a PaintingBenjamin Huff
I have incorporated both disciplines of my ancestors in two paintings that have been painted using pigments derived from minerals found in the state of Utah. Utah has a rich geological diversity, providing a literal rainbow of pigment colors to be used in paint making. Each mineral was ground up, mixed with linseed oil and applied to stretched canvas.
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Story MapTaghe Steffensen
This story map is a comprehensive guide to the history of Utah Lake, showcasing its topography, landmarks, and significant events. Through the map, users can explore the lake's geographical features, including its tributaries, wetlands, and islands, and learn about the flora and fauna that inhabit the area.
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Trail to LakeHadley Davis
This is a poem about my first experience at Utah Lake. I wrote about my journey from start to finish and I hope you reading!
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Utah Lake VideoSAYER DUNKLEY
Here is a video taken on the night of Wednesday, April 12th. The atmosphere there was magical as the sun set and the wind blew the lake into wonderful waves.
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Hilary HungerfordCarlos Plummer
Interview with an Utah Vally University geographer who has done research on people's responses to Utah Lake. She speaks as well about the Utah Valley Authority. |
Videos by April Howell
If you’re interested in bite-size, fun facts about Utah Lake, look no further! Browse through a small collection of videos for some laughs, activity ideas, and recommendations all about Utah Lake. Enjoy! https://www.tiktok.com/@aprilahowell |
Photo Essay
by Nate Petersen |