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? Do people just not care about the destruction they leave behind as they exploit such a vital resource? Perhaps they had lofty ideas based on assumptions that turned out to be false but were too far into a pattern of abuse that backing out would mean financial ruin. No doubt many years of justifying harmful social, farming, and industrial practices went unchecked and so the accumulation over time resulted in the lake’s ecosystem sitting on the brink of no return. Thankfully, with change, that is no longer the case.
I’ve lived in Utah Valley for 25 years and I can count on one hand the number of times I have been “down to the lake” for a visit. It’s always been there and while I have enjoyed seeing it from a higher vantage point, I viewed it more as a utilitarian resource that provided fresh water, great weather, a great view, and not much else. The idea that Utah Lake provided a commercial fishing benefit didn’t even occur to me before I read about the lake’s history. I consider myself an outdoors kind of person that enjoys hiking the Narrows in Zion’s National Park and Devils Fingers in Moab.
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I’ve biked the Provo River Trail many times from the canyon to the lake. Utah Lake, to me, has been viewed more as a place to go to but not stay and visit – a point at the end of the trail where I’d “turn around and head back”. As I studied the lake’s history and saw it through the eyes of others as they recollected their adventures at or research into the lake, I found my interest in the lake deepening. Learning about the historical overuse and industrial abuse of the lake and how that has damaged its ecosystem, I felt like I would for an injured child – surely someone cares enough to help the lake heal. How did we let it get to this point? I found myself wanting to know more about what’s being done to reverse the effects of over a century of abuse. In dramatic fashion, I developed protective feelings for this body of
water that has been here for millennia and served so many.
This change of heart has been a lesson that reminds me that I should be more mindful of the nature that is right in my own back yard. It started with a lack of awareness which eventually led to careless practices that have harmed the lake. Am I any different than that mill operator in 1909 who allowed waste to be dumped into Provo River that ended up in the lake? What about the guy who repeatedly poured saw dust in the river at the turn of the 20th century that killed off so many fish? How about people who fertilize land with fertilizers and pesticides that contain harsh chemicals that are washed down into the lake today? I did some deep thinking while on this journey and realized that while I haven’t done anything measurably close to that kind of harm, but each of those people started where I was – oblivious of my own participation in the lake’s health, and completely unaware of just how vital Utah Lake has been and how important it
is for the future of Utah Valley. I’m sure we in Utah are not alone in this behavior. With over
100,000 lakes in the US, no doubt taking a natural resource for granted has been a common
societal practice.
water that has been here for millennia and served so many.
This change of heart has been a lesson that reminds me that I should be more mindful of the nature that is right in my own back yard. It started with a lack of awareness which eventually led to careless practices that have harmed the lake. Am I any different than that mill operator in 1909 who allowed waste to be dumped into Provo River that ended up in the lake? What about the guy who repeatedly poured saw dust in the river at the turn of the 20th century that killed off so many fish? How about people who fertilize land with fertilizers and pesticides that contain harsh chemicals that are washed down into the lake today? I did some deep thinking while on this journey and realized that while I haven’t done anything measurably close to that kind of harm, but each of those people started where I was – oblivious of my own participation in the lake’s health, and completely unaware of just how vital Utah Lake has been and how important it
is for the future of Utah Valley. I’m sure we in Utah are not alone in this behavior. With over
100,000 lakes in the US, no doubt taking a natural resource for granted has been a common
societal practice.
As I have been on this journey, I’ve described my exploration of Utah Lake to my son who
lived here for 15 years as he was growing up. He’s studying to be a soil biologist at the University of Vermont. Although I raised him to love the great outdoors, he admitted that he had little knowledge or experience with Utah Lake. In our discussions, he would often bring up the freshwater lake, Lake Champlain, which he lives very close to. His description of the sudden and sometimes aggressive weather he experienced sounded just like the “lake effect” we have with Utah Lake. |
He began to make trips down to his lake, too, to explore it more, and I thought it would be interesting to compare the two lakes to see what similarities exist in their use, history, exploitation / abuse, and restoration efforts. I think ultimately I wanted him to get to know his lake like I got to know mine.
Utah Lake is a freshwater lake of about 145 square miles in size. Comparably, Lake Champlain is also a freshwater lake, but it’s 435 square miles in size and crosses not only into New York, but also into Canada. Notably, Utah Lake has an average depth of 10.5 feet while Lake Champlain’s average depth is 64 feet. I would imagine that the depth of a lake might help mitigate the impact of human abuse on its ecosystem. If a lake is shallow, like Utah Lake, its ecosystem might be more fragile and experience human impact on a greater scale. With Lake Champlain being so deep and with so much more water, I assumed it would not experience the same types of issues. It turns out that I was incorrect in my assumption.
Utah Lake is a freshwater lake of about 145 square miles in size. Comparably, Lake Champlain is also a freshwater lake, but it’s 435 square miles in size and crosses not only into New York, but also into Canada. Notably, Utah Lake has an average depth of 10.5 feet while Lake Champlain’s average depth is 64 feet. I would imagine that the depth of a lake might help mitigate the impact of human abuse on its ecosystem. If a lake is shallow, like Utah Lake, its ecosystem might be more fragile and experience human impact on a greater scale. With Lake Champlain being so deep and with so much more water, I assumed it would not experience the same types of issues. It turns out that I was incorrect in my assumption.
Both Utah Lake and Lake Champlain have faced similar environmental challenges over the years which included pollution, invasive species, and habitat degradation. Both ecosystems have been harmed at the hands of the humans who live near and use the lake as a resource. How large are the economic contributions of these two lakes? Utah Lake has an estimated economic output of over $300 million while Lake Champlain’s is over $6 billion.
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Where does all this economic benefit come from? The primary sources include commercial fishing, recreational fishing, boating, irrigation, agriculture, tourism, residential and commercial development, wildlife habitat and waterfowl hunting. For Lake Champlain, add to their economy the sources of hydroelectric power, forestry, and shipping. Even their population density is similar. Utah Lake has just over 1 million people living within 20 miles while Lake Champlain has just over 1.6 million. At the speed the population of Utah is increasing, it won’t be long before we surpass the population around Lake Champlain. In 1850, the numbers were quite different. Utah Lake had about 10,000 people while Lake Champlain had about 300,000.
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Similar to Utah Lake, Lake Champlain has a history of human abuse that has resulted in damage to its ecosystem. Some of the most abusive practices include the 19th century deforestation of the lake’s watershed which caused soil erosion, sedimentation, and loss of habitat. Industrial pollution occurred in the late 19th and early 20th century when a number of industries along the lake’s shores dumped untreated waste into the lake which contaminated the lake with chemicals and heavy metals. There’s also been widespread use of fertilizers and pesticides on farms across the lake’s watershed which led to nutrient pollution and harmful algal blooms in the lake. Sewage is another human abuse.
Many towns around the lake discharged untreated sewage into the lake which led to water quality problems and the closure of some of Lake Champlain’s beaches. Similar to how there have been invasive non-native species introduced into Utah Lake, there are a number of aquatic invasive species that are plaguing Lake Champlain, including zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, and spiny water flea. The issue is where they outcompete native species and alter the food “webs” which cause ecological and economic harm. What about the lakes’ futures? What kinds of projects have been implemented to sustain each of these vital resources long into the future?
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Utah Lake has a few restoration projects underway. The Utah Lake Restoration Project is intended to improve water quality and ecosystem health. That includes the June Sucker Restoration Implementation Plan, which has moved the June Sucker, a native fish species, from the endangered to the threatened list. To enable that to happen, the invasive species, Common Carp, had to be reduced in number. That meant another project was undertaken by commercial fisheries to remove as much carp as possible. Since that program began, over 20 million pounds of carp have been removed. Another project is the Wetland Restoration Project. This is being done by the Division of Natural Resources to improve water quality and increase wildlife habitat. Utah Lake also has invasive plant species which are undergoing abatement and removal. Phragmites grow along the shoreline. As they are being removed, native vegetation is being planted to improve habitat and water quality. This is part of the Shoreline Restoration Project.
The Department of Environmental Quality heads up water quality monitoring on a regular basis. They track nutrient load and bacteria levels in order to reduce nutrient (chemical) pollution to improve water quality. The Utah Lake Commission nee Utah Lake Authority in partnership with state agencies has also undertaken to educate the public about ways to fertilize yards and farmland in an effort to reduce the pollutants that end up in the lake.
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Lake Champlain also has several programs to help restore its ecosystem. Their Great Basis Program involves several stakeholders and is intended to restore water quality and ecosystem health not just in the lake but also in the watershed. Chemical load from phosphorus also impacts Lake Champlain. Vermont’s Dept. of Environmental Conservation in partnership with other agencies monitors chemical loads in the lake and aims to reduce the phosphorus pollution through improved agricultural practices and wastewater treatment plant upgrades. Similar to Utah Lake’s invasive quagga mussel, Lake Champlain has zebra mussels, and both attach to the hulls of boats and can spread to other bodies of water. They cause ecological and economic harm at both lakes. Lake Champlain has a boat steward program that places stewards at boat launch locations to inspect boat hulls and to educate boaters about how to prevent their spread. Lake Champlain also has a habitat restoration program called the Lake Champlain Basin Program. Their goal is to restore wetlands by improving hydrology, reducing erosions, and planting native vegetation. As there are forests on the shorelines of Lake Champlain, there’s also an effort to restore and expand forested areas by planting native tree species, controlling invasive species, and promoting sustainable forest management practices. They are also working to stabilize eroding shorelines. Together, most of these programs work to identify and prioritize effective restoration actions.
Utah Lake now has the newly formed Utah Lake Authority. Some call it “Utah Lake Commission 2.0”. Its purpose is to collaborate with other government entities and agencies to put together a management plan that helps to guide the lake’s use and development, and to prioritize efforts to protect and restore the lake. Lake Champlain has a similar governing body called the Lake Champlain Basin Program. They partner with state and federal agencies, non- governmental organizations, and citizens that work together to protect and restore the Lake Champlain ecosystem. Like the Utah Lake Authority, LCBP is responsible for developing a management plan that guides restoration and protection efforts.
Utah Lake now has the newly formed Utah Lake Authority. Some call it “Utah Lake Commission 2.0”. Its purpose is to collaborate with other government entities and agencies to put together a management plan that helps to guide the lake’s use and development, and to prioritize efforts to protect and restore the lake. Lake Champlain has a similar governing body called the Lake Champlain Basin Program. They partner with state and federal agencies, non- governmental organizations, and citizens that work together to protect and restore the Lake Champlain ecosystem. Like the Utah Lake Authority, LCBP is responsible for developing a management plan that guides restoration and protection efforts.
It's remarkable how similar these two lakes are in their history, the human abuses that has
caused damage to their ecosystems, and the way they have a management plan that is underway to restore the condition of the lake’s ecosystem and natural wildlife habitat. They are vastly different in size and depth, and the native wildlife differs as well, from bird species, fish species, and mammals that live around each lake. What is indisputable is how much of a vital resource these lakes are not only to those who live around the lakes but also to wildlife, fish species, and birds that flock in and out of the lake during their annual migration. |
What surprised me most was that Utah Lake has over 10 million birds that use the lake for a brief resting area during their annual migration while Lake Champlain has over 200,000 waterflow and other birds that use it as a stopping point on their migratory journey. It’s amazing what a great resource Utah Lake is. What has become so apparent to me during this endeavor is how important it is to be aware of not only the lakes’ existence, but also in what ways we choose to participate with the lake. Even if it’s just a turnaround point at the end of the trail, that’s still a form of participation. Hopefully those who read this message will head on “down to the lake” for a real visit and for a chance to get to know this amazingly beautiful natural wonder that is right in our own back yard.
Sources of Research
1. Utah Lake Commission. (n.d.). About Utah Lake. https://utahlakecommission.org/about-utah-lake/
2. Lake Champlain Basin Program. (2021). About the Lake Champlain Basin.
https://www.lcbp.org/about-the-basin/description/
3. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. (2022). Utah Lake.
https://wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots/detailed.php?id=64
4. Lake Champlain Committee. (2022). Issues List on Site:
https://www.lakechamplaincommittee.org/issues/
5. Utah Lake Commission. (2022). Utah Lake Watershed.
https://utahlakecommission.org/utah-lake-watershed/
6. Utah Department of Environmental Quality. (2019). Utah Lake Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
https://deq.utah.gov/water-quality/nutrients
7. Lake Champlain Basin Program. (2021). Lake Champlain Management Plan.
https://www.lcbp.org/about-us/how-we-work/opportunities-for-action/introduction/
8. The Nature Conservancy. (n.d.). Lake Champlain. https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-
to-help/places-we-protect/adirondacks-champlain-valley/Vermont
9. Department of Environmental Conservation. (n.d.). Lake Champlain TMDL.
https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/wastewater/tmdl-information
10. Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/lakes-ponds/aquatic-
invasives/monitoring/zebra-mussels
11. Lake Champlain Committee. (2022). Lake Champlain Facts.
https://www.lakechamplaincommittee.org/about/facts/
12. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Lake Champlain Phosphorus TMDL: A
Commitment to Clean Water. https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/lake-champlain-phosphorus- tmdl-
commitment-clean-water
1. Utah Lake Commission. (n.d.). About Utah Lake. https://utahlakecommission.org/about-utah-lake/
2. Lake Champlain Basin Program. (2021). About the Lake Champlain Basin.
https://www.lcbp.org/about-the-basin/description/
3. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. (2022). Utah Lake.
https://wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots/detailed.php?id=64
4. Lake Champlain Committee. (2022). Issues List on Site:
https://www.lakechamplaincommittee.org/issues/
5. Utah Lake Commission. (2022). Utah Lake Watershed.
https://utahlakecommission.org/utah-lake-watershed/
6. Utah Department of Environmental Quality. (2019). Utah Lake Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
https://deq.utah.gov/water-quality/nutrients
7. Lake Champlain Basin Program. (2021). Lake Champlain Management Plan.
https://www.lcbp.org/about-us/how-we-work/opportunities-for-action/introduction/
8. The Nature Conservancy. (n.d.). Lake Champlain. https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-
to-help/places-we-protect/adirondacks-champlain-valley/Vermont
9. Department of Environmental Conservation. (n.d.). Lake Champlain TMDL.
https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/wastewater/tmdl-information
10. Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/lakes-ponds/aquatic-
invasives/monitoring/zebra-mussels
11. Lake Champlain Committee. (2022). Lake Champlain Facts.
https://www.lakechamplaincommittee.org/about/facts/
12. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Lake Champlain Phosphorus TMDL: A
Commitment to Clean Water. https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/lake-champlain-phosphorus- tmdl-
commitment-clean-water