Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-04
the GREAT SALT LAKE.
CIosOins Of the Salt Recks Causes lsss q
Saline Strength.
(From the Pfiiladelphia rimes.)

VI ioHi tHe EMldueipnla v1meS.)
The Great Salt Lake is two feet lower
today. than ever before known in the
history of Utah. and according to COM
petent observers it is rapidly changing
its chief characteristic and turning into
an inland sea Of fresh water. Every
fall the lake is several feet lower than
in the spring, but this year the waters
have subsidized to such an extent that
many of the bathing pavilions and
lighthouses are left high and dry upon
the beach. 1t has always been believed
by experts that the lake had an under
ground outlet. but no explorer has yet
been fortunate enough to discover any,
1t Is supposed, however, that outlets
exist, and that during the last six
months they have gained noticeably
upon the springs which supply the
lake.
On the northern slopes of the lakes
shores and down the western border
are numberless springs which have al
ways run pure brine into the inland
sea. These springs evidently come
through immense rocks Of salt in the
earth. and by washing through them
briny by the time it reaches the sur
lace. There have been signs of a
change in these springs in recent years
Several times they have ceased to flow
as rapidly as usual, and the water they
poured up appeared fresher They
nave now become partly checked up,
either with rocks or salt, and they no
longer give the same supply of salt wa
ter as they did years ago. In several
other places-notably on East Ante
lope, within Is feet of the trimming
lake basin-there are many fresh water
springs that gush up at all seasons OF
the year and pour into the lake. These
fresh water springs have become larger
and more powerful since the salt water
springs became clogged up, and il is
supposed the underground reservoir OF
water. diverted from it's usual course.
~ now seeking an adequate outlet
through the springs where no salt
rocks exist.
III this theory is correct, the Great
Salt Lake will gradually turn to fresh
water, and the surface will continue 10
TALL until the winter and spring fresh
cts from the mountains I'LL it again.
The additional water will add no salt
TO the great sea, but make ii fresher
man ever. 1t has been known for
many years that the Great Salt Lake
Is fresher in the early spring than In
the summer. and the phenomenon is
probably caused by the addition CT
great quantities of water from. tn.
SHOWS and streams of the mountains
Those In, e.,
On the lake say that il takes six GAL |
IONS OF water to make one gallon Of |
salt in the summer and fall. but that
IN early spring it often takes seven and
even eight gallons to make the SAM.
quantity. |
There are three large streams emp |
tying into the Great Salt Lake-the |
Bear, Weber and Jordan rivers-but |
hey make no appreciable difference in |
the saltiness of the lake. except early |
IN the spring, when they carry thu |
melting SHOWS of the mountains down |
to the lake. So long as the under. |
ground springs of salt continued TO |
pour their brine into the lake it re- |
CURED an immense volume of fresh |
water to neutralize them.
The Great Salt Lake is 20 miles long |
and so miles across in it's widest part. |
and it has an area OF 2OC0 square miles |
Another peculiar change that has TAX |
IN place in the lake is the gradual up |
1eaval of the bottom. In recent years |
is greatest depth has not exceeded 10 |
feet. while the average depth is only |
from II to 20. Fifty years ago. the |
bottom could not be sounded in places. |
and lines 100 feet long failed to strike |
bottom.