Utah Water Science Center

Saline Lakes Stakeholder Workshop Meeting Materials

skemp@usgs.gov — Mon, 6 Feb 2023 15:46:31 EST

In fall 2022, the Saline Lakes Team held three two-day virtual workshops to identify stakeholder science priorities for the Great Basin terminal lakes and their watersheds.

New one-stop shop webpage for all things Great Salt Lake

mlubeck@usgs.gov — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 12:00:25 EDT

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A timely new website, funded by the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council and USGS, brings information about the effects of Great Salt Lake levels on different natural resources into one location with the Great Salt Lake Hydro Mapper.

Great Salt Lake Level Falls Below Historic Low Measured in October 2021

ccollett@usgs.gov — Tue, 5 Jul 2022 17:20:11 EDT

SALT LAKE CITY — On July 3, the level of Great Salt Lake dropped below the October 2021 historic low elevation.

History of Lake Powell Written in Sediment

amims.detail@usgs.gov — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 16:39:46 EDT

Declining water levels in Lake Powell since 2000 provide a unique opportunity to study the sediments along previous shorelines. Researchers from the University of Utah, U.S. Geological Survey, and Utah State University recorded the changes in deposits, which informs understanding of hydrologic systems and the effects of reservoirs.

Lake Powell’s storage capacity updated for first time since 1986

ccollett@usgs.gov — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 17:49:18 EDT

SALT LAKE CITY – A new report released today and compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) provides updated information on Lake Powell’s storage capacity.

Groundwater Flow to Colorado River May Decline by a Third over Next 30 Years

ccollett@usgs.gov — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 11:30:00 EDT

A new study projects that a hot and dry future climate may lead to a 29% decline in Upper Colorado River Basin “baseflow” at the basin outlet by the 2050s, affecting both people and ecosystems.

Media Alert: New Flood Warning Gage in Pack Creek near Moab Utah

ccollett@usgs.gov — Fri, 3 Sep 2021 07:15:00 EDT

A new rapid deployment U.S. Geological Survey flood warning gage has been installed in Pack Creek, 9 miles southeast of Moab, Utah, below the June 2021 wildfire burn area.

Great Salt Lake Reaches New Historic Low

jlavista@usgs.gov — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 06:00:00 EDT

The southern portion of the Great Salt Lake is at a new historic low, with average daily water levels dropping about an inch below the previous record set in 1963, according to U.S. Geological Survey information collected at the SaltAir gauge location.

Great Salt Lake May Reach Historic Low Soon

jlavista@usgs.gov — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 08:15:00 EDT

The southern portion of the Great Salt Lake is just a couple inches above the historic low measurement taken in 1963, according to U.S. Geological Survey streamgage information collected at the SaltAir gauge location.

Large Decreases in Upper Colorado River Salinity Since 1929

jlavista@usgs.gov — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 06:00:00 EDT

Salinity levels in the Upper Colorado River Basin, which covers portions of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, have steadily decreased since 1929, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey study analyzing decades of water-quality measurements.

Utah Gauge Celebrates 100 Years of Monitoring Streamflow

jlavista@usgs.gov — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 08:00:00 EDT

A U.S. Geological Survey streamgage near Hunstville, Utah is celebrating 100 years of monitoring streamflow on the south fork of the Ogden River. The streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah.

USGS Unveils Mobile Flood Tool for the Nation

jlavista@usgs.gov — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 08:00:00 EDT

The U.S. Geological Survey announced Friday the completion of a new mobile tool that provides real-time information on water levels, weather and flood forecasts all in one place on a computer, smartphone or other mobile device.

Groundwater in Moab Area Less than Previously Reported

jlavista@usgs.gov — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 14:30:00 EDT

A new assessment of groundwater resources in the Spanish Valley watershed in southern Utah shows an amount that is about 30–40% lower than previously reported, according to a U.S. Geological Survey report.

Salinity Cycles in Lower Colorado River Caused by Precipitation Patterns in Upper Basin

jlavista@usgs.gov — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 07:00:00 EDT

A new study shows that mysterious cycles in salinity in the lower Colorado River are a result of precipitation patterns in the headwaters of the upper basin more than a thousand river miles away. The salinity levels generally repeat about every 10 years.

Mercury Concentrations in Lake Powell Higher in Side Canyons

jlavista@usgs.gov — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 05:00:00 EDT

Mercury concentrations within Lake Powell are highest in side canyons within the lower portion of the reservoir, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey report. This finding is part of a study to better understand why mercury concentrations in striped bass are higher in the lower part of the reservoir.

View Sediment Core Collection on Lake Powell

jlavista@usgs.gov — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 07:15:00 EST

Reporters: RSVP to Visit Coring Site on Lake Powell

Backcountry Travel for Science: Studying the Source of Groundwater in the Grand Canyon

jlavista@usgs.gov — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 08:00:00 EDT

When you think of a day in the life of a scientist, adventure may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, many scientists find themselves in amazing locations where collecting data is physically challenging.

Bear Lake to Receive Water Quality and Weather Monitoring Equipment

jlavista@usgs.gov — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 08:00:00 EDT

Bear Lake will house water quality and weather monitoring equipment that will provide near real-time information to the public and water managers beginning in early April and continuing through 2022.

Salinity Decreased throughout Upper Colorado River Basin Over Time

jlavista@usgs.gov — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 05:00:00 EST

Salinity loads that originate from groundwater within the Upper Colorado River Basin have decreased from 1986-2011, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey study done in cooperation with the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program.

Geophyiscal survey of Lake Powell, UT-AZ

ababb@usgs.gov — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 08:00:00 EST

Develop a new bathymetry map of Lake Powell, UT-AZ, and characterize shallow sediment deposition near the mouths of the San Juan and Colorado Rivers. Bathymetric data, acoustic backscatter imagery, and limited CHIRP sub-bottom data were collected by the USGS Utah Water Science Center (UTWSC) and Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC) within Lake Powell, October - November, 2017.

New Map Shows How Groundwater Pumping Could Affect the Malad River

jlavista@usgs.gov — Thu, 6 Apr 2017 06:00:00 EDT

A new report illustrates how groundwater pumping can affect the amount of water available in streams within the Malad-Lower Bear River Area in Utah. The product was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights.

USGS Scientist Wins Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology

jlavista@usgs.gov — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 06:00:00 EST

U.S. Geological Survey scientist Dr. Robert Baskin is being awarded with a 2016 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology. Gov. Gary R. Herbert will present awards to 11 individuals and one company at the 30th anniversary awards dinner tonight.

Where Does it Go? New Method Evaluates Fate of Methane Released into Streams

jlavista@usgs.gov — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 08:00:00 EDT

First application shows majority of methane in study stream emitted to the atmosphere.

Large Precipitation Events are Critical in Replenishing Groundwater Resources

jlavista@usgs.gov — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 08:00:00 EDT

Large precipitation events that occur about every 10 years are a critical source of recharge for replenishing groundwater resources, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Reclamation.

Nutrient Experiments May Help Gain a Better Understanding of Algal Blooms in Utah

jlavista@usgs.gov — Tue, 9 Aug 2016 07:00:00 EDT

Scientists to test the Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake

Groundwater Discharge to Upper Colorado River Basin Varies in Response to Drought

jlavista@usgs.gov — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 09:30:00 EDT

Assessing age of groundwater to determine resource availability

More than Half of Streamflow in the Upper Colorado River Basin Originates as Groundwater

jlavista@usgs.gov — Mon, 9 May 2016 06:00:00 EDT

Groundwater and Surface Water Considered a Joint Resource

USGS and Utah Department of Natural Resources Announce New Record Low Elevation at Great Salt Lake's North Arm

kgeer@usgs.gov — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 10:03:58 EST

The north arm of the Great Salt Lake (GSL) has reached a new historic low. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL), the lake's water level reached an elevation of 4,191.6 feet last month, one foot lower than the previous record.