Category: Utah Lake Water Quality Study

View and download supporting documentation and products for each phase of the Utah Lake Water Quality Study (ULWQS).▸Stakeholder Process & Public OutreachSee DocumentsThe ULWQS is guided by a formal stakeholder process. Related documents describe the process, operating procedures for relevant committees, and strategies for public engagement.▸Phase 1 – Data Gathering & CharacterizationSee DocumentsDocuments from the data gathering and characterization phase (2015

Find Utah Lake Water Quality Study events and updates details including links to upcoming meetings and downloads. Photo Credit: Kati Meszaros Events Science Panel virtual meeting May 28, 2026 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. New DocumentsComing soon: Literature review and study work products page.

The Utah Lake Water Quality Study Science Panel is a disciplinary-based panel whose members have scientific expertise relevant to Utah Lake. The Panel identifies data gaps, provides recommendations to the Steering Committee, oversees research activities, and implements a process for independent peer review, among other responsibilities.Next meeting Science panel meeting: May 28, 2026 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Download the AgendaNote: The following content

Find Utah Lake Water Quality Study Steering Committee Meeting Updates including links to the agenda, virtual meeting information, archive downloads, and contact info. Steering Committee meetings take place on an as-needed basis following the phased study approach. The timing of Steering Committee meetings is based on the project timeline, Science Panel findings, and public outreach efforts.Next Meeting Steering Committee Meeting TBA Past MeetingsNote: The

The Utah Lake Science Panel was established by the Utah Lake Water Quality Study Steering Committee in 2018 to provide independent and unbiased scientific advice to the Steering Committee. Science Panel members were selected to provide a full range of scientific expertise relevant to the unique characteristics of Utah Lake. The Science Panel is charged with guiding the development of site-specific nitrogen and

The membership expertise of the Science Panel for the Utah Lake Water Quality Study.

Utah Lake Water Quality Study Steering Committee membership details including stakeholder interest, affiliation, and contact info.

The Utah Lake Water Quality Study Steering Committee is a 16-member committee representing a diverse group of stakeholders interested in protecting and improving water quality in Utah Lake through a collaborative, transparent, and consensus-based decision-making process. The Steering Committee was formed in 2016 by a stakeholder-led initiative to establish a formal process by which committee members can develop and implement scientifically-based policy

During Phase 3 of the Utah Lake Water Quality Study (implementation planning), the Steering Committee will review the recommendations of the Science Panel and formulate a plan that achieves and/or maintains water quality protective of designated beneficial uses while also balancing costs and benefits. During this review, the Steering Committee will: Evaluate current use designations and the scientific and economic feasibility of

During Phase 2 of the Utah Lake Water Quality Study, the Steering Committee and Science Panel will evaluate the factors that impact the lake’s designated beneficial uses, including the factors that lead to harmful algal blooms on Utah Lake. This evaluation will guide additional research needed to address data gaps and develop site-specific numeric criteria for phosphorus and lake that are protective of existing uses in the

Watershed delivery of flow and nutrient loading to Utah Lake are important for understanding how nutrients are processed in the lake and the resulting water quality of the lake. Simulations of in-lake water-quality conditions will use a series of in-lake water-quality and hydrodynamic models (EFDC and WASP). Since these models do not explicitly simulate delivery of flow and loading from the watershed

The Utah Lake Water Quality Study Water Quality Assessment and Analysis (Phase 1) had two primary objectives: Re-evaluate, confirm, clarify, or expand on the beneficial use assessment for Utah Lake conducted under DWQ’s 2016 Integrated Report. Provide a baseline analysis of relevant water-quality parameters including analyses of temporal and spatial trends and relationships among water-quality parameters in support of the broader Utah Lake study

Stakeholder involvement is a critical component of the Utah Lake Water Quality Study. Outreach efforts ensure a collaborative process with engaged stakeholders to guide scientific analyses and regulatory decision making. The original stakeholder group assembled in 2015 consisted primarily of members of the Utah Lake Commission Technical Committee as well as representatives from the Utah Lake Commission, local municipalities, publicly-owned treatment

For Phase 1 of the Utah Lake Water Quality Study, the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) assembled a broad group of stakeholders representing a wide range of interests in the Utah Lake Water Quality Plan. Participants include representatives from local municipalities, publicly-owned treatment works (POTWs), and state and local governments. DWQ created subgroups of stakeholders to help inform decision-making for work plan element.

The goal of the Utah Lake Water Quality Study (ULWQS) is to develop nitrogen and phosphorus criteria that are protective of the lake’s designated beneficial uses. The study approach consists of three phases to achieve this goal: Phase 1 – Data gathering and characterization Phase 2 – Development of in-lake criteria for nitrogen and phosphorus Phase 3 – Implementation planning for Phase

Utah Lake is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the western United States. The lake is overly rich in nutrients which can cause many problems. The Division of Water Quality has created a Utah Lake Water Quality Study to examine these concerns.