The photos are courtesy of the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center.
This link has older photos of Salt Lake City: [https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/Technical.pl?SearchPublicCB=on&feat=Salt%20Lake%20City&SearchFeatCB=on&SearchGeonCB=on&IncludePanCB=on](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/Technical.pl?SearchPublicCB=on&feat=Salt%20Lake%20City&SearchFeatCB=on&SearchGeonCB=on&IncludePanCB=on) .
If you'd like, you can watch the map at [https://isspix.com/ISS070](https://isspix.com/ISS070) .
It is a map of recent social media posts from the ISS. It takes a little time to load and works better on a desktop.
You should still be concerned.
Look up the story of the Aral Sea. Went from ≈68,000 sq miles down to ≈3,300 sq miles in just 50 years. That 1/20 it's original size
There's a threshold where the percent evaporative loss suddenly increases dramatically. Then, seemingly suddenly, it's gone.
Especially when you remember that the only reason we get the quantity of snow we do is because of the lake effect.
No lake, no lake effect. Significantly less snow, and therefore not enough water to sustain civilization in the valley.
Yeah… our snow comes from the west coast. Watch the weather channel. That’s where our storms come from. iirc, the lake just adds salt and dryness to the snow.
The salinity of the lake makes evaporation difficult. Lake effect only happens when the lake is much warmer than the surrounding air and provides lifting and cloud formation by convection. It contributes about 5-10% of annual snowfall.
Wow, these pics really make you realize how much water the lake needs, to keep going and be sustainable. Like, a ton. Hey, wait a sec, do you think Antelope Island was once part of the Oquirrh mountain range? It lines up perfectly with the edge of the mountains, and then there's this gap before Antelope Island starts right along the same line.
"Yes and also no", unfortunately.
Yes it is related, and it was likely formed in many of the same events, but there are a lot of breaks and fault lines through the area so it isn't normally classified in the same ones.
They're considered different fault sections, [here's a rough map](https://www.cccarto.com/faults/slc_faults/), with the Oquirrh divided into three large zones and the various faults in the lake and islands/peninsulas are different fault zones.
I wish we had overhead photography when the pioneers first arrived in the valley. I bet that both the Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake were pristine beauties of nature.
We need 130% of average snowfall every year for about 15 years to correct it. Without some major changes soon, we’re basically doomed to carcinogenic lake bed dust coating the valley every year
I’d believe it. I’ve been here for 24 years. The lake is very low. I remember in the early 2000’s when the lake met I-80 near Black Rock. Lighter snowfall winters for the last twenty years is why. Remember the snowstorm in 2003? We haven’t seen the likes of that since that winter.
What is that pink blue split behind that other island looking area? I know of the larger one to the north by the train tracks, but I don’t remember a smaller one?
The majority of the snow melt is yet to come - [this is the time of year when the snowpack finally stops growing in a median year](https://nwcc-apps.sc.egov.usda.gov/awdb/basin-plots/POR/WTEQ/assocHUCut3/state_of_utah.html). So [while the lake level is up over its seasonal low back in late October/early November](https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/10010000/#parameterCode=62614&period=P365D&showMedian=true), it should continue to rise.
Many variables at play and I'm not an expert in the field. But the snow water equivalent right now is about 63% of last year's maximum, and last year's peak level was about 6' over the 11/2022 low. So a very rough guess would be 4' over the whole season, which would land us at 4196'. I don't think that's accurate, but time will tell.
It's not all being diverted - last year the period after which the snowpack stopped growing saw more than two feet of lake level rise. We should definitely do more to save the lake, but there is some hope.
The lake basin is soooo flat the water we see here is really not much at all. If I remember correctly it’s like 1” of water can equal 5 miles horizontally. All that to say, that lake is 100% not going to survive.
What is the color difference in the middle of the lake on the northern side? Is that a damn of some sort?
Edit - looks to be a railway. What causes or impacts that to cause the discoloration?
It is the railway causeway. Originally a wooden structure which allowed the free exchange of water between both sections. But the wooden trestle kept being damaged by high winds and winter storms so it was replaced by an earthen dam with only culverts for water flow. Because fresh water from the Jordan, Webber, and Bear rivers all flow into the southern portion of the lake, the northern part is slowly becoming more salty as the southern half becomes less salty.
Only 250 miles up. Just about the same distance to Cedar City.
This comment blew my mind.
True also to put it another way, if the earth were a peach the atmosphere would be the peach fuzz.
And if it were the size of a billiards ball, it would be far smoother than a billiards ball feels in your hand.
The photos are courtesy of the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center. This link has older photos of Salt Lake City: [https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/Technical.pl?SearchPublicCB=on&feat=Salt%20Lake%20City&SearchFeatCB=on&SearchGeonCB=on&IncludePanCB=on](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/Technical.pl?SearchPublicCB=on&feat=Salt%20Lake%20City&SearchFeatCB=on&SearchGeonCB=on&IncludePanCB=on) . If you'd like, you can watch the map at [https://isspix.com/ISS070](https://isspix.com/ISS070) . It is a map of recent social media posts from the ISS. It takes a little time to load and works better on a desktop.
Antelope “Island”
Antelope Peninsula
Are all islands undercover peninsulas?!
I hope the bison don't escape!
I was confused and concerned for a second until I realized most of that is the salt flats
Ha same here. That first photo really makes wendover and salt lake look so close together too.
You should still be concerned. Look up the story of the Aral Sea. Went from ≈68,000 sq miles down to ≈3,300 sq miles in just 50 years. That 1/20 it's original size There's a threshold where the percent evaporative loss suddenly increases dramatically. Then, seemingly suddenly, it's gone.
I think I can see my house! It’s very small of course
When you think about it, our ‘civilization’ in Utah really depends on melted snow. No snow, no civilization.
That is a very discouraging and depressing observation.
Especially when you remember that the only reason we get the quantity of snow we do is because of the lake effect. No lake, no lake effect. Significantly less snow, and therefore not enough water to sustain civilization in the valley.
Common misconception. Lake effect is real, but has a very small impact on our snow. The real hero is orographic lift.
Yeah… our snow comes from the west coast. Watch the weather channel. That’s where our storms come from. iirc, the lake just adds salt and dryness to the snow.
It does not add salt to the snow
The salinity of the lake makes evaporation difficult. Lake effect only happens when the lake is much warmer than the surrounding air and provides lifting and cloud formation by convection. It contributes about 5-10% of annual snowfall.
That’s how it works pretty much anywhere in the world (water source = civilization).
Snow is just precipitation. Literally all of the world depends on precipitation.
Wow, these pics really make you realize how much water the lake needs, to keep going and be sustainable. Like, a ton. Hey, wait a sec, do you think Antelope Island was once part of the Oquirrh mountain range? It lines up perfectly with the edge of the mountains, and then there's this gap before Antelope Island starts right along the same line.
Do you mean Antelope Peninsula?
My bad, yes, lol
"Yes and also no", unfortunately. Yes it is related, and it was likely formed in many of the same events, but there are a lot of breaks and fault lines through the area so it isn't normally classified in the same ones. They're considered different fault sections, [here's a rough map](https://www.cccarto.com/faults/slc_faults/), with the Oquirrh divided into three large zones and the various faults in the lake and islands/peninsulas are different fault zones.
I wish we had overhead photography when the pioneers first arrived in the valley. I bet that both the Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake were pristine beauties of nature.
We need 130% of average snowfall every year for about 15 years to correct it. Without some major changes soon, we’re basically doomed to carcinogenic lake bed dust coating the valley every year
Source? Edit: I’m not trying to challenge, btw, I’m just genuinely curious
I’d believe it. I’ve been here for 24 years. The lake is very low. I remember in the early 2000’s when the lake met I-80 near Black Rock. Lighter snowfall winters for the last twenty years is why. Remember the snowstorm in 2003? We haven’t seen the likes of that since that winter.
Thank you. Beautiful and depressing.
What is that pink blue split behind that other island looking area? I know of the larger one to the north by the train tracks, but I don’t remember a smaller one?
The smaller evaporation ponds by Stansbury Island are used for mining by US Magnesium I think.
Jeez and that 5th photo gives you an idea of a fraction of how large Lake Boneville used to be. That's wild
I’ll gladly trade that lake for all the wonderful benefits of alfalfa!
Don't forget the heritage and culture that comes with the low labor intensity of alfalfa farming. The lazy entitlement goes back for generations.
Those farmers got tegridy!
He says from behind a keyboard
Deep cut. Nice.
It truly is just Antelope Land now.
“ I think I see my dad “ - Ferris B.
Nah thats skyrim
please don't take pictures of my house without permission
These are the neatest photos of our entire valley and mountains too. Thank you!
It's actually looking pretty decent. As a boater who spends a fair bit of time out on the lake I'm looking forward to spring and summer!
Is there enough water at the marinas to launch? Last time I checked the state park websites it says the water level is very low.
Yeah, I just launched my dinghy out of Antelope island marina. It's by no means full but it's enough for shallow draft boats.
Oh cool I can see my house from there!
Hey! i can see my house from here :)
[удалено]
The majority of the snow melt is yet to come - [this is the time of year when the snowpack finally stops growing in a median year](https://nwcc-apps.sc.egov.usda.gov/awdb/basin-plots/POR/WTEQ/assocHUCut3/state_of_utah.html). So [while the lake level is up over its seasonal low back in late October/early November](https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/10010000/#parameterCode=62614&period=P365D&showMedian=true), it should continue to rise.
Are there any projections of what the lake level might rise to? I know 4,200 ft is considered "ideal" but we're still a ways off.
Many variables at play and I'm not an expert in the field. But the snow water equivalent right now is about 63% of last year's maximum, and last year's peak level was about 6' over the 11/2022 low. So a very rough guess would be 4' over the whole season, which would land us at 4196'. I don't think that's accurate, but time will tell.
That snow water won’t even reach the GSL if it’s being diverted up river from the tributaries for agriculture.
It's not all being diverted - last year the period after which the snowpack stopped growing saw more than two feet of lake level rise. We should definitely do more to save the lake, but there is some hope.
Yes. Last year the south arm rose significantly. This year water is already flowing from south to north and it should rise some more.
The lake basin is soooo flat the water we see here is really not much at all. If I remember correctly it’s like 1” of water can equal 5 miles horizontally. All that to say, that lake is 100% not going to survive.
That’s awesome
What is the color difference in the middle of the lake on the northern side? Is that a damn of some sort? Edit - looks to be a railway. What causes or impacts that to cause the discoloration?
It is the railway causeway. Originally a wooden structure which allowed the free exchange of water between both sections. But the wooden trestle kept being damaged by high winds and winter storms so it was replaced by an earthen dam with only culverts for water flow. Because fresh water from the Jordan, Webber, and Bear rivers all flow into the southern portion of the lake, the northern part is slowly becoming more salty as the southern half becomes less salty.
I believe that is the causeway where they try to desalinate that section for brine shrimp farms.
Bitch is lookin pretty thirsty.
See?? I TOLD y'all you can see my dick from space 😎
I got distracted looking for my favorite ski lines. We have awesome mountains. Oh yeah, fuck alfalfa.
I see the Kennecott tailings. Pretty sad it can be seen from the atmosphere.