Irrigation Companies and the Great Salt Lake: Managing Water in Utah Amidst Climate Change

The Great Salt Lake, a key ecosystem and major component of Utah’s identity and economy, is threatened by rapidly declining water levels. This problem has caused widespread and ongoing concern from the public, and the Utah Legislature is faced with making water allocation and management decisions to adapt to the state’s growing population and changing environment. One important group in this discussion is irrigation companies. Here, we examine how irrigation companies receive and maintain water rights in Utah, their significant role in water management, and recent legislative efforts to incentivize efficient water use so more water reaches the Great Salt Lake. It is critical to understand the role of irrigation companies in water management as regional demands for water increase and supply decreases due to climate change.