"Two factors are driving the decline: water use and less precipitation due to climate change. Saving the lake may require 260 billion gallons of water."
"Winter's disastrously low snowfall could further complicate an already audacious plan to refill the dying Great Salt Lake in time for the 2034 Winter Olympics in Utah.
The plan being pushed by Utah officials and Olympics supporters received a major boost when President Donald Trump proposed $1 billion in federal assistance to acquire more water and address environmental concerns. The lake has been shrinking for decades as farmers divert melting snow and rain onto fields to grow crops, including alfalfa for cattle.
Boosters remain optimistic the coalition they've assembled can reverse the long-term declines in time for the lake to reflect the Olympic flame for the world."
Trevor Hughes and Dinah Voyles Pulver report for USA TODAY April 13, 2026.
