Utah Officials Seek $1 Billion Federal Funding to Restore Great Salt Lake Ahead of 2034 Olympics

The Great Salt Lake in Utah has experienced declining water levels for decades, primarily due to water diversion for agriculture and reduced precipitation linked to climate change. In 2022, water levels reached their lowest point in recorded history, though they have increased slightly since then.

The lake serves as a habitat for migrating birds, supports a brine shrimp industry, and is a recreation site near Salt Lake City.

Utah officials and supporters of the 2034 Winter Olympics have proposed a plan to restore the lake. President Donald Trump announced $1 billion in federal funding to acquire water and address environmental issues. The plan focuses on voluntary measures to reduce water use while maintaining agricultural activities.

Factors Contributing to Decline Agricultural water use accounts for about 80% of the lake's decline, with the remainder due to climate change and drought, according to Ben Abbott, a professor of ecology at Brigham Young University and executive director of the nonprofit Grow the Flow.

Farmers divert water from snowmelt and rain to irrigate crops such as alfalfa for cattle. Population growth in Utah, which increased by 1% from 2024 to 2025 according to the Census Bureau, has also increased water demand, including for residential lawns.

Climate change has altered weather patterns in the western United States, leading to higher temperatures, increased evaporation, and lower snowpack.

This year's low snowfall is expected to affect water availability for the lake. Experts note that these trends pose challenges to restoration efforts.

Restoration Plan Details Restoring the lake may require up to 260 billion gallons of water, equivalent to the amount used by New York City residents and businesses over nine months.

The total cost could reach $5 billion. The plan emphasizes voluntary participation from farmers to ensure economic viability.

“I am fully convinced we're going to fix this. This is a fixable problem.”

Josh Romney, a Utah businessman, stated that discussions with farmers must consider their livelihoods. The initiative seeks to provide options for continued farming with reduced water consumption. Success of the plan could influence the lake's condition by the 2034 Olympics.

The lake's ecosystem supports industries and wildlife, and its decline affects local economies in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. Restoration efforts involve coordination among officials, businesses, and nonprofits. Monitoring water levels and weather patterns will be necessary to assess progress.