Wayne Wurtsbaugh
Registered: January 2000
Posts: 511
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The elevation of the Great Salt Lake, like all terminal lakes, changes markedly in response to climatic fluctuations. In 1983 and 1984, precipitation in the lake's watershed was at record levels, and the runoff caused the lake elevation to increase 2.7 m (9 '). The lake continued to rise an additional m until peaking in 1987. Encroaching development along the lake's shoreline was destroyed. Here, the entry way to Antelope Island State Park was flooded by the rising lake. 15,000 years ago, the lake was 270 m (885') deeper, and was called Lake Bonneville. Global climate models call for a 50-180% increase in precipitation in the basin over the next 100 years. Will Lake Bonneville return? (Photo April 1987)
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