The far horizon

A lively recreational jewel

A flood of trivia

Great tales surrounding the lake

TODAY

Ecosystem under threat

Lake has impact on weather

Small island is a refuge for birds

Islands in the salt

Lake defines geology of northern Utah

Great Salt Lake timeline

THE FUTURE

Looking ahead

Lake pumps still waiting for flood

Myriad firms thrive off lake

Dike it, dye it, blow a hole in it

Is plan for lake great?

An 1873 government study investigated the possibility of draining the Great Salt Lake into the Nevada territory to get rid of it once and for all.

The lake's tributary rivers and streams pour an average of 2.16 million acre-feet of water into it every year. An acre-foot is enough to cover an acre with one foot of water. An additional 970,000 acre-feet a year come from ground water and precipitation directly onto the lake.

The Great Salt Lake's Wilson's phalarope could well be the poster bird for the feminist movement. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, "phalaropes are noted for complete sexual reversal." Not only are the females of the species larger and more brightly colored than the males, they fight for nesting territory and do the courting while males undertake all nesting duties.

The lake's biodiversity was increased by one more species a few years ago when Pink Floyd, a flamingo, escaped from Hogle Zoo and made its home on the shores of the lake.

The nine main islands in the Great Salt Lake are home to more newborn pelicans than anywhere else in the country.

A few airplanes — including at least two F-16s — sit at the bottom of the lake, unable to be located because magnetometers don't function well in the mineral-rich water. Divers also can't see in the murky waters.

Privately owned Fremont Island — the lake's third-largest island — has been up for sale with a $3 million asking price for more than two years. A herd of wild ponies still roams this island's west side.

The Great Salt Lake is the largest body of water in the nation west of the Great Lakes.

The lake's salinity level varies from 14 to 25 percent, depending on dry and wet cycles. (In contrast, the ocean has a 3.5 percent salinity rate.) The south arm of the lake is usually less than half the salinity of the north arm.

The lake can't disappear easily. As evaporation shrinks it, it becomes saltier and its evaporation rate slows.

Saltwater waves pack about twice the punch of fresh water waves.

Those who boat on the Great Salt Lake accumulate salt crystals on their skin and clothing.

While the lake water is heavy with chemicals, drawing out a glass of water from the lake's surface yields a surprisingly clear liquid.

In pre-pioneer times, buffalo used to wade to Antelope Island, the lake's largest island, during shallow lake cycles.

Shoshone and Goshute Indians used to live on or near Antelope Island. A son of Ute Chief Wanship and his family was living on Antelope Island when the Fremont expedition explored the lake in 1845.

Like the Dead Sea of the Middle East, the Great Salt Lake is fed from a Jordan River.

Brigham Young originally named his pioneer town "Great Salt Lake City," same as the lake's title. However, the "Great" was dropped later to improve the territory's chances for statehood.

The lake's only regular residents are the brine shrimp — 90 percent of the world's brine supply comes from the Great Salt Lake.

Carp can be found in the lake near freshwater inlets.

The lake's saltwater rarely freezes, but when it does it creates icebergs. They last appeared in 1984 and bulldozed everything in their path. A 1942 iceberg was 30 feet high and 100 feet wide.

An unusual lake freeze in the early 1900s allowed coyotes to walk to Fremont Island and attack sheep pastured there.

There are oil deposits in the lake's north arm, but the oil is too thick and of too poor quality for extraction.

The highest point in the lake is Frary Peak on Antelope Island, 6,596 feet above sea level or almost 2,400 feet above water level. A hiking trail to reach this high point is under construction.

The lake's level varies from night to day through diurnal fluctuations.