How well do you know the Great Salt Lake?

Fifteen years ago, TNC opened its newly constructed visitor center at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve. We encourage you to explore this award-winning facility soon—and don’t miss out on the new preserve audio tour. We’re also celebrating the visitor center all year long with some digital challenges and quizzes. Join in the fun!

START THE QUIZ

Which of these organisms DOES NOT live in or near the waters of the Great Salt Lake?

Algae

Brine Shrimp

Halo SquidBrine shrimp and algae live in the Great Salt Lake’s waters, and tiger beetles live on the Lake’s playa (mudflats). These organisms play an important role in the ecosystem and both brine shrimp and tiger beetles serve as a key source of food for birds.

Tiger Beetles

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Which river is the largest source of water for the Great Salt Lake?

Bear River Flowing over 500 miles, the Bear is the longest river in the Western Hemisphere that does not end in the sea. Its terminus is the Great Salt Lake, and it is the largest source of water for the Lake’s globally important ecosystem.

Weber River

Ogden River

Jordan River

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In what year did the Great Salt Lake reach its historic peak of 4,212 feet?

1961

1975

1987 Between fall 1982 and June 1987, the level of the Great Salt Lake rose over 12 feet, reaching its peak in 1987. Today, years drought and increased water use have brought the lake to record low levels—threatening wildlife, recreation and industry.

1990

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How many migratory birds and waterfowl visit the Great Salt Lake each year?

Between 30,000-50,000

Between 2 and 6 million Each year, between 2 and 6 million migratory shorebirds and waterfowl visit the lake. Designated a “Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve,” the lake is vital to millions of birds migrating along Earth’s Pacific Flyway.

More than 5,000

About 1 million

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What is the name of the island in the Great Salt Lake that hosts Earth’s second largest rookery for American pelicans?

Stansbury Island

Antelope Island

Gunnison Island Gunnison Island, in the Great Salt Lake, hosts the world’s second largest white pelican rookery, with an average of 20,000 birds.

Fremont Island

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Today the Great Salt Lake is shrinking—impacted by drought and increasing demands on its water sources. We must act now to protect the lake’s globally important bird habitat.

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Donate today to help The Nature Conservancy save the Lake and other unique natural treasures in Utah.

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How well do you know the Great Salt Lake?

Which of these organisms DOES NOT live in or near the waters of the Great Salt Lake?

Before you float to the next question, please enter your email so we can share more fascinating facts about our natural world with you.

Which river is the largest source of water for the Great Salt Lake?

In what year did the Great Salt Lake reach its historic peak of 4,212 feet?

How many migratory birds and waterfowl visit the Great Salt Lake each year?

What is the name of the island in the Great Salt Lake that hosts Earth’s second largest rookery for American pelicans?

All done! 0 out of 0 correct.