Great Salt Lake May Hit Historic Lows Despite Recent Snowfall

Conservationists warn Utah's snowpack is still not enough to replenish the lake, putting public health at risk.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Despite heavy snowfall this week, conservationists warn that Utah's snowpack, which hit a record low earlier this month, is likely not enough to prevent the Great Salt Lake from reaching new record low water levels later this year. The Great Salt Lake relies on late-season runoff, but months of precipitation falling as rain instead of snow has left the lake in a critical state, with more than half of the lakebed currently exposed and containing toxic dust and heavy metals.

Why it matters

The drying up of the Great Salt Lake poses serious public health risks, as the exposed lakebed contains toxic dust that can worsen air quality and lead to severe health problems like heart disease, asthma, and premature death. Conservationists are urging state lawmakers to take action during the 2026 legislative session to remove barriers to sending more water to the lake and restore it by 2034.

The details

According to Samantha Hawkins, spokesperson for the conservation nonprofit Grow the Flow, the current snowpack is still hovering near minimum levels, giving Utah just a 10% chance to reach normal snowpack levels this year and a 30% chance to end with record low snowpack. The Great Salt Lake tracker shows the lake is less than 36% full, with more than 1,100 square miles of the lakebed exposed and containing toxic dust and heavy metals.

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service's Feb. 1 report revealed record low snowpack in Utah.
  • The Great Salt Lake tracker shows the lake is currently less than 36% full.

The players

Samantha Hawkins

Spokesperson for the conservation nonprofit Grow the Flow, which is dedicated to Great Salt Lake water conservation.

Grow the Flow

A conservation nonprofit dedicated to Great Salt Lake water conservation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Utah is still facing major snowpack deficits, this doesn't reverse months of snow drought. What we really need is sustained snowpack that lasts long into spring, so it can contribute to spring runoff.”

— Samantha Hawkins, Spokesperson (Utah News Dispatch)

“That's really scary to people, they don't want Great Salt Lake dust in their lungs.”

— Samantha Hawkins, Spokesperson (Utah News Dispatch)

What’s next

The 2026 Legislative Session is one of the most consequential opportunities in years to remove barriers for sending water to the lake, and the consequences couldn't be bigger right now to restore the lake by 2034.

The takeaway

The drying up of the Great Salt Lake poses a serious public health crisis, as the exposed lakebed contains toxic dust that can worsen air quality and lead to severe health problems. Urgent action is needed from state lawmakers to address this environmental emergency and restore the lake before it reaches historic lows.