Quote:
Originally Posted by msbutah
My Swiftian take: if there is a massive de-population of the Wasatch Front because the lake is a toxic dustbowl, doesn't that free up all that water to go back into the lake?
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I would doubt it. Residential/Commercial usage is less than 5% of the total water used. 80% is agriculture and 15% is industrial.
We would have a bigger impact to water usage by buying 2 average alfalfa farms in the GSL watershed, putting the water to the lake, than if we removed all greenery from park strips along the Wasatch Front.
There was a study a couple of years ago that stated if water was turned off to all residential and commercial uses along the Wasatch Front, it would have a negligible impact to the GSL water level. Cutting Alfalfa usage by 50% would see 40% more water flowing to the lake than today.
Effectively, the best way to tackle the water issue is with the biggest water uses.
We should encourage farmers to grow less water intensive crops. We should also outlaw the growing of grains, except maybe corn, within the State. The only thing that would have a bigger impact to water usage would be for the State, Cities, Counties, or private individuals purchasing farmland + the water rights and letting the fields go fallow and diverting the water to the lake.
This though is considered a non-starter for many in the Legislature as it would hit the heart of the Rural communities. If you don't believe me, just look at what the Legislators say. While saying everything is on the table, they recommend that people water less, remove grass from yards or switch to water wise plants. They very rarely mention agriculture and when they do, they talk about using better watering techniques and technology, not changing what is grown.
It is because of this, I can see some Cities/Counties and private parties buying up farmland/water rights to ensure that the water gets to the lake. I know that this idea has already been talked about by some parties. Even the State has quietly looked into this option (paying farmers not to grow while not losing water rights).