Great Salt Lake Watershed

The following bioregional planning study is a direct result of the 2009- 2010 studio project initiated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The FWS contacted the study team and asked them to determine how the future growth and development of the Bear River Watershed would impact the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (BRMBR). The study looked at all of the physical and biophysical systems within the Bear River Watershed to identify the issues that had an effect on the BRMBR. It became apparent from the original project that the future of the BRMBR and other Great Salt Lake wetlands was dependent upon the future use of water within the Bear River Watershed and the Great Salt Lake Watershed as a whole. Further research uncovered significant proposed withdrawals to the tributaries of the Great Salt Lake as well as some directly from the lake itself. After discussions with multiple stakeholders that rely on water from Great Salt Lake tributaries and water from the lake, it became clear that there was a need for a study to determine how the proposed future use of water within the Great Salt Lake Watershed would affect the wetlands that border the lake. It is the goal of this study to determine how the future growth and development within the Great Salt Lake Watershed will affect the wetlands of the Great Salt Lake (both managed wetlands and naturally occurring wetlands). This study will focus on how future water development and urban growth will impact wetland size and function.