@gslsentinel.bsky.social
The Great Salt Lake's unofficial watchdog, blending hydrology with weather watch, advocating for natural precipitation and better water management over conservation myths.
Pinned
#GreatSaltLake solution
Cap reservoir storage
Instead of filling every reservoir to capacity, cap reservoirs at 60,70, 80, 90% depending on actual needs of individual reservoirs.
This would cut down on evaporation losses, allow flows to return to the GSL and make water conservation meaningful.
Cap reservoir storage
Instead of filling every reservoir to capacity, cap reservoirs at 60,70, 80, 90% depending on actual needs of individual reservoirs.
This would cut down on evaporation losses, allow flows to return to the GSL and make water conservation meaningful.
As a side finding of my research on #GreatSaltLake #Hydrology.
#Utah #utleg #environment
sway.cloud.microsoft/BGMxjJT9YpyG...
#Utah #utleg #environment
sway.cloud.microsoft/BGMxjJT9YpyG...
Hidden Great Salt Lake Water Loss
By James Ferrin
sway.cloud.microsoft
December 19, 2025 at 11:37 PM
As a side finding of my research on #GreatSaltLake #Hydrology.
#Utah #utleg #environment
sway.cloud.microsoft/BGMxjJT9YpyG...
#Utah #utleg #environment
sway.cloud.microsoft/BGMxjJT9YpyG...
Counter to the narrative about GSL blowing PM2.5. The yellow shows the stagnant period where urban PM2.5 pollution filled the valley. Then the winds came, instead of blowing GSL PM2.5 on us, it blew it away. This is not a 1-off scenario, my bet is that it occurs more often than GSL dust is lifted.
December 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Counter to the narrative about GSL blowing PM2.5. The yellow shows the stagnant period where urban PM2.5 pollution filled the valley. Then the winds came, instead of blowing GSL PM2.5 on us, it blew it away. This is not a 1-off scenario, my bet is that it occurs more often than GSL dust is lifted.
1/
I am still measuring and calculating the surface acre footprint of anthropogenic impoundments. 3/4's done and I am showing that impoundments are roughly half the size of GSL's current footprint. When I say humans have been moving the shores of GSL to different locations, I'm not kidding.
I am still measuring and calculating the surface acre footprint of anthropogenic impoundments. 3/4's done and I am showing that impoundments are roughly half the size of GSL's current footprint. When I say humans have been moving the shores of GSL to different locations, I'm not kidding.
December 6, 2025 at 2:23 AM
1/
I am still measuring and calculating the surface acre footprint of anthropogenic impoundments. 3/4's done and I am showing that impoundments are roughly half the size of GSL's current footprint. When I say humans have been moving the shores of GSL to different locations, I'm not kidding.
I am still measuring and calculating the surface acre footprint of anthropogenic impoundments. 3/4's done and I am showing that impoundments are roughly half the size of GSL's current footprint. When I say humans have been moving the shores of GSL to different locations, I'm not kidding.
The hard part in writing a scientific paper is not gathering the evidence and data, It's the damn computer work🤢
December 5, 2025 at 10:40 PM
The hard part in writing a scientific paper is not gathering the evidence and data, It's the damn computer work🤢
Bravo! UPR's Erin Lewis
Finally, quality GSL reporting minus exaggerated fearmongering from speculation.
Keep up the good work Erin.🏆
#GreatSaltLake #Utahmedia #Utah
www.upr.org/environment/...
Finally, quality GSL reporting minus exaggerated fearmongering from speculation.
Keep up the good work Erin.🏆
#GreatSaltLake #Utahmedia #Utah
www.upr.org/environment/...
Despite low levels, the Great Salt Lake is seeing positive trends
Brian Steed, the Great Salt Lake Commissioner, shared low Great Salt Lake levels on Nov. 20, 2025.
www.upr.org
November 30, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Bravo! UPR's Erin Lewis
Finally, quality GSL reporting minus exaggerated fearmongering from speculation.
Keep up the good work Erin.🏆
#GreatSaltLake #Utahmedia #Utah
www.upr.org/environment/...
Finally, quality GSL reporting minus exaggerated fearmongering from speculation.
Keep up the good work Erin.🏆
#GreatSaltLake #Utahmedia #Utah
www.upr.org/environment/...
#GreatSaltLake fuel forecast
More snow today, 2.5"❄️ so far on GSL👏👏
11/2M, 11/5-7L-H❄️❄️❄️
Adding to Nov. accumulation!! Good start to Dec.!
#utwx #cowx #Idwx #wywx #SKI #Skiutah #skiIdaho #skicolorado #skiwyoming #nvwx #mtwx #CAwx #azwx
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNba...
More snow today, 2.5"❄️ so far on GSL👏👏
11/2M, 11/5-7L-H❄️❄️❄️
Adding to Nov. accumulation!! Good start to Dec.!
#utwx #cowx #Idwx #wywx #SKI #Skiutah #skiIdaho #skicolorado #skiwyoming #nvwx #mtwx #CAwx #azwx
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNba...
Utah/Colorado Snow, Mountain Weather Update 11/30, Meteorologist Chris Tomer
YouTube video by Chris Tomer
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:08 PM
#GreatSaltLake fuel forecast
More snow today, 2.5"❄️ so far on GSL👏👏
11/2M, 11/5-7L-H❄️❄️❄️
Adding to Nov. accumulation!! Good start to Dec.!
#utwx #cowx #Idwx #wywx #SKI #Skiutah #skiIdaho #skicolorado #skiwyoming #nvwx #mtwx #CAwx #azwx
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNba...
More snow today, 2.5"❄️ so far on GSL👏👏
11/2M, 11/5-7L-H❄️❄️❄️
Adding to Nov. accumulation!! Good start to Dec.!
#utwx #cowx #Idwx #wywx #SKI #Skiutah #skiIdaho #skicolorado #skiwyoming #nvwx #mtwx #CAwx #azwx
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNba...
For 3 years we have been hearing bitching and moaning about #GreatSaltLake plight.
What we have not heard is any plan to get more water to the lake. Not 1 single effective measure.
Water conservation = reservoir storage.
Water donations = loans repaid in spring.
Cloud seeding = reservoir storage.
What we have not heard is any plan to get more water to the lake. Not 1 single effective measure.
Water conservation = reservoir storage.
Water donations = loans repaid in spring.
Cloud seeding = reservoir storage.
November 30, 2025 at 6:47 AM
For 3 years we have been hearing bitching and moaning about #GreatSaltLake plight.
What we have not heard is any plan to get more water to the lake. Not 1 single effective measure.
Water conservation = reservoir storage.
Water donations = loans repaid in spring.
Cloud seeding = reservoir storage.
What we have not heard is any plan to get more water to the lake. Not 1 single effective measure.
Water conservation = reservoir storage.
Water donations = loans repaid in spring.
Cloud seeding = reservoir storage.
Agriculture is not the largest human consumption.
I’ve measured >300,814 impoundment surface acres subject to evaporation, annually depleting 902,000–1,500,000 acre‑feet, with another ~1.5 million acre‑feet of non‑return flow.
This is independently verifiable, and I welcome it.
#GreatSaltLake
I’ve measured >300,814 impoundment surface acres subject to evaporation, annually depleting 902,000–1,500,000 acre‑feet, with another ~1.5 million acre‑feet of non‑return flow.
This is independently verifiable, and I welcome it.
#GreatSaltLake
November 29, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Agriculture is not the largest human consumption.
I’ve measured >300,814 impoundment surface acres subject to evaporation, annually depleting 902,000–1,500,000 acre‑feet, with another ~1.5 million acre‑feet of non‑return flow.
This is independently verifiable, and I welcome it.
#GreatSaltLake
I’ve measured >300,814 impoundment surface acres subject to evaporation, annually depleting 902,000–1,500,000 acre‑feet, with another ~1.5 million acre‑feet of non‑return flow.
This is independently verifiable, and I welcome it.
#GreatSaltLake
Statistics for the GSL do not add up.
Depletion estimates exceed yield; this is not possible.
I suspect yield underestimated and human consumption I know is overestimated
Depletion estimates exceed yield; this is not possible.
I suspect yield underestimated and human consumption I know is overestimated
November 27, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Statistics for the GSL do not add up.
Depletion estimates exceed yield; this is not possible.
I suspect yield underestimated and human consumption I know is overestimated
Depletion estimates exceed yield; this is not possible.
I suspect yield underestimated and human consumption I know is overestimated
1/
Outdated science needs re-examination.
Estimated agriculture depletion ranges from 945,000 to 1,330,000.
Estimated Human impoundment evaporation depletions range from 876,000 to 1,460,000.
Unlike agriculture, impoundments also carry non-return storage.
Outdated science needs re-examination.
Estimated agriculture depletion ranges from 945,000 to 1,330,000.
Estimated Human impoundment evaporation depletions range from 876,000 to 1,460,000.
Unlike agriculture, impoundments also carry non-return storage.
November 25, 2025 at 5:19 AM
1/
Outdated science needs re-examination.
Estimated agriculture depletion ranges from 945,000 to 1,330,000.
Estimated Human impoundment evaporation depletions range from 876,000 to 1,460,000.
Unlike agriculture, impoundments also carry non-return storage.
Outdated science needs re-examination.
Estimated agriculture depletion ranges from 945,000 to 1,330,000.
Estimated Human impoundment evaporation depletions range from 876,000 to 1,460,000.
Unlike agriculture, impoundments also carry non-return storage.
1/
Agriculture depletion is probably 2nd to depletion from human water retention.
I'll explain the "probably" later.
I have spent many hours measuring and quantifying surface acreage of human-built water impoundments upstream of the #GreatSaltLake ranging from 30 acres to 90,000 acres.
Agriculture depletion is probably 2nd to depletion from human water retention.
I'll explain the "probably" later.
I have spent many hours measuring and quantifying surface acreage of human-built water impoundments upstream of the #GreatSaltLake ranging from 30 acres to 90,000 acres.
November 23, 2025 at 9:13 AM
1/
Agriculture depletion is probably 2nd to depletion from human water retention.
I'll explain the "probably" later.
I have spent many hours measuring and quantifying surface acreage of human-built water impoundments upstream of the #GreatSaltLake ranging from 30 acres to 90,000 acres.
Agriculture depletion is probably 2nd to depletion from human water retention.
I'll explain the "probably" later.
I have spent many hours measuring and quantifying surface acreage of human-built water impoundments upstream of the #GreatSaltLake ranging from 30 acres to 90,000 acres.
Vent
Shitty science based in assumptions, approximations, exaggerations, omissions, miscommunications are doing more harm to the GSL than good. Appeal to authority drives the narrative even though some of them don't really know shit about the lake but they sound authoritative, silver tongue devils.
Shitty science based in assumptions, approximations, exaggerations, omissions, miscommunications are doing more harm to the GSL than good. Appeal to authority drives the narrative even though some of them don't really know shit about the lake but they sound authoritative, silver tongue devils.
November 21, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Vent
Shitty science based in assumptions, approximations, exaggerations, omissions, miscommunications are doing more harm to the GSL than good. Appeal to authority drives the narrative even though some of them don't really know shit about the lake but they sound authoritative, silver tongue devils.
Shitty science based in assumptions, approximations, exaggerations, omissions, miscommunications are doing more harm to the GSL than good. Appeal to authority drives the narrative even though some of them don't really know shit about the lake but they sound authoritative, silver tongue devils.
🥳 Benches above Farmington Bay received over an inch of precipitation!
#utwx #GreatSaltLake #utah
Other than marsh impoundments, water managers can't intercept this water from making it to GSL. 👏👏👏
#utwx #GreatSaltLake #utah
Other than marsh impoundments, water managers can't intercept this water from making it to GSL. 👏👏👏
November 17, 2025 at 3:49 PM
🥳 Benches above Farmington Bay received over an inch of precipitation!
#utwx #GreatSaltLake #utah
Other than marsh impoundments, water managers can't intercept this water from making it to GSL. 👏👏👏
#utwx #GreatSaltLake #utah
Other than marsh impoundments, water managers can't intercept this water from making it to GSL. 👏👏👏
Because the GSL narrative and this report rely heavily on assumptions, people think they’re helping the Great Salt Lake when in fact they’re harming it.
The audit captions make that clear.
The audit captions make that clear.
Audit of UTDNR, M&I water conservation opportunity document.
Designed to influence #GreatSaltLake water policy.
This has taken a few weeks to work through with AI help. should have significant ramifications. for how to proceed. #utah #utpol #utleg
drive.google.com/file/d/1W6GE...
Designed to influence #GreatSaltLake water policy.
This has taken a few weeks to work through with AI help. should have significant ramifications. for how to proceed. #utah #utpol #utleg
drive.google.com/file/d/1W6GE...
Final Audit MI-Water-Conservation-Opportunities-Report-09_02_2025.pdf
drive.google.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Because the GSL narrative and this report rely heavily on assumptions, people think they’re helping the Great Salt Lake when in fact they’re harming it.
The audit captions make that clear.
The audit captions make that clear.
Truth is like a lion, set it free and it will defend itself
Water conservation increases upstream retention by reducing inflows to #GreatSaltLake.
Water conservation increases upstream retention by reducing inflows to #GreatSaltLake.
November 16, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Truth is like a lion, set it free and it will defend itself
Water conservation increases upstream retention by reducing inflows to #GreatSaltLake.
Water conservation increases upstream retention by reducing inflows to #GreatSaltLake.
3 years in and I am seeing some public perception change🥳
Assumptions about conservation helping GSL are being replaced by evidence of management malpractice. If we can change the false narrative we can bring positive change to inflows. Then we can help mother nature rebuild elevation.
Assumptions about conservation helping GSL are being replaced by evidence of management malpractice. If we can change the false narrative we can bring positive change to inflows. Then we can help mother nature rebuild elevation.
November 13, 2025 at 4:13 AM
3 years in and I am seeing some public perception change🥳
Assumptions about conservation helping GSL are being replaced by evidence of management malpractice. If we can change the false narrative we can bring positive change to inflows. Then we can help mother nature rebuild elevation.
Assumptions about conservation helping GSL are being replaced by evidence of management malpractice. If we can change the false narrative we can bring positive change to inflows. Then we can help mother nature rebuild elevation.
Derivative Junk Science.
If the first layer is already pseudoscience, and subsequent layers build on it, some critics call this “meta-pseudoscience” or “derivative junk science.
Find empirical dirt →speculate effects →Fabricate costs.
#UofU has issues. A peer review process could fix.
If the first layer is already pseudoscience, and subsequent layers build on it, some critics call this “meta-pseudoscience” or “derivative junk science.
Find empirical dirt →speculate effects →Fabricate costs.
#UofU has issues. A peer review process could fix.
November 12, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Derivative Junk Science.
If the first layer is already pseudoscience, and subsequent layers build on it, some critics call this “meta-pseudoscience” or “derivative junk science.
Find empirical dirt →speculate effects →Fabricate costs.
#UofU has issues. A peer review process could fix.
If the first layer is already pseudoscience, and subsequent layers build on it, some critics call this “meta-pseudoscience” or “derivative junk science.
Find empirical dirt →speculate effects →Fabricate costs.
#UofU has issues. A peer review process could fix.
Audit of UTDNR, M&I water conservation opportunity document.
Designed to influence #GreatSaltLake water policy.
This has taken a few weeks to work through with AI help. should have significant ramifications. for how to proceed. #utah #utpol #utleg
drive.google.com/file/d/1W6GE...
Designed to influence #GreatSaltLake water policy.
This has taken a few weeks to work through with AI help. should have significant ramifications. for how to proceed. #utah #utpol #utleg
drive.google.com/file/d/1W6GE...
Final Audit MI-Water-Conservation-Opportunities-Report-09_02_2025.pdf
drive.google.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Audit of UTDNR, M&I water conservation opportunity document.
Designed to influence #GreatSaltLake water policy.
This has taken a few weeks to work through with AI help. should have significant ramifications. for how to proceed. #utah #utpol #utleg
drive.google.com/file/d/1W6GE...
Designed to influence #GreatSaltLake water policy.
This has taken a few weeks to work through with AI help. should have significant ramifications. for how to proceed. #utah #utpol #utleg
drive.google.com/file/d/1W6GE...
Auditing the M&I Water Conservation Opportunities report.
I have a lot of editing to do before release-this should be a hint😉
If anyone listens, it could save taxpayers millions.
I have a lot of editing to do before release-this should be a hint😉
If anyone listens, it could save taxpayers millions.
November 6, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Auditing the M&I Water Conservation Opportunities report.
I have a lot of editing to do before release-this should be a hint😉
If anyone listens, it could save taxpayers millions.
I have a lot of editing to do before release-this should be a hint😉
If anyone listens, it could save taxpayers millions.
1/
178 years is GSL's recorded history, a tiny fraction of its life. Yet, it is used as a baseline for projecting its health status.
178 years is GSL's recorded history, a tiny fraction of its life. Yet, it is used as a baseline for projecting its health status.
November 5, 2025 at 4:38 AM
1/
178 years is GSL's recorded history, a tiny fraction of its life. Yet, it is used as a baseline for projecting its health status.
178 years is GSL's recorded history, a tiny fraction of its life. Yet, it is used as a baseline for projecting its health status.
as far as I can tell nobody reads me here, so I use this place to put together thoughts. I am going through the M&I document put out by UTDNR. I realize they are trying to retrofit decades worth of supply side water management into the new Great Salt Lake narrative. but it doesn't fit.
November 3, 2025 at 7:15 AM
as far as I can tell nobody reads me here, so I use this place to put together thoughts. I am going through the M&I document put out by UTDNR. I realize they are trying to retrofit decades worth of supply side water management into the new Great Salt Lake narrative. but it doesn't fit.
It appears to me that there really has not been a solid Great Salt Lake study. The USU study was on saline lakes in general, but each lake has its own nuances. BYU study took generalized information from Colorado river and else ware and applied it to the GSL. Nothing strictly GSL hydrology.
November 2, 2025 at 7:10 AM
It appears to me that there really has not been a solid Great Salt Lake study. The USU study was on saline lakes in general, but each lake has its own nuances. BYU study took generalized information from Colorado river and else ware and applied it to the GSL. Nothing strictly GSL hydrology.
A list of reservoirs in the GSL basin.
Looking at this list exemplifies how problematic past #GreatSaltLake studies have been in omitting their retention and evaporation as a large portion of flows missing from GSL.
It has let policy make decisions on half of the information needed.
Looking at this list exemplifies how problematic past #GreatSaltLake studies have been in omitting their retention and evaporation as a large portion of flows missing from GSL.
It has let policy make decisions on half of the information needed.
October 31, 2025 at 9:39 PM
A list of reservoirs in the GSL basin.
Looking at this list exemplifies how problematic past #GreatSaltLake studies have been in omitting their retention and evaporation as a large portion of flows missing from GSL.
It has let policy make decisions on half of the information needed.
Looking at this list exemplifies how problematic past #GreatSaltLake studies have been in omitting their retention and evaporation as a large portion of flows missing from GSL.
It has let policy make decisions on half of the information needed.
1/
Understanding return to flow.
When you take a shower, press the plug down and allow the water to build up, notice how much water accumulates. when you pull the plug that water drains to the GSL after sanitation.
That is return to flow.
Understanding return to flow.
When you take a shower, press the plug down and allow the water to build up, notice how much water accumulates. when you pull the plug that water drains to the GSL after sanitation.
That is return to flow.
October 23, 2025 at 11:39 PM
1/
Understanding return to flow.
When you take a shower, press the plug down and allow the water to build up, notice how much water accumulates. when you pull the plug that water drains to the GSL after sanitation.
That is return to flow.
Understanding return to flow.
When you take a shower, press the plug down and allow the water to build up, notice how much water accumulates. when you pull the plug that water drains to the GSL after sanitation.
That is return to flow.