SALT LAKE CITY — Jan. 27, 2026 — Grow the Flow’s new statewide billboard campaign is educating Utahns on how a shrinking Great Salt Lake affects nearly every aspect of their lives in Utah—from a strong economy and thriving wildlife to clean air and the “Greatest Snow on Earth.” This effort comes as Utah lawmakers consider critical water policy and funding decisions during the 2026 Utah Legislative Session.
Created in partnership with Utah-based advertising agency Bonneville Communications Corp., the campaign aims to reframe Great Salt Lake as essential to Utah’s way of life, rather than a distant environmental concern.
Great Salt Lake was once the largest saline lake in the Western Hemisphere, but decades of upstream diversions have pushed it near historic lows—threatening air quality, ecosystems, and billions of dollars in economic activity. Scientists warn that without urgent action, the lake risks crossing irreversible thresholds—threatening the same kind of collapse that has devastated communities near drying saline lakes worldwide.
“This campaign is so important because Great Salt Lake is not an abstract environmental issue,” BonCom Senior Vice President Chris Carlson said. “It affects the air we breathe, the value of our homes, the strength of our economy, and the health of our children. The lake affects us every day, and this campaign is about reminding Utahns that we can affect the lake in return through the collective choices we make.”
The campaign directs Utahns to GrowGSL.org to learn more about the lake’s current condition, the science behind its decline, and practical ways to support restoration—from reducing water use at home to engaging in the legislative process.
“We’ve made real progress in recent years, but Great Salt Lake remains on the edge of collapse and will likely reach a new record low this year,” said Ben Abbott, BYU ecologist and executive director of Grow the Flow. “Restoring it will take robust, sustained funding and systemic changes to Utah’s water management—meaning improved water markets, incentivized conservation, and a water system that works for farmers, cities, and industry.”
The billboards are live in 12 sites across the Great Salt Lake Watershed, including Brigham City, Logan, Farmington, Clearfield, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Lake Point, Springville, Riverdale, and Ogden. The campaign also includes radio, digital, and social ads.
Our lives depend on our Lake locations:
- Brigham City, Box Elder County, (I-15 MM 365.29 W/S, S/F), South Facing, Coordinates: 41.5318, -112.0663
- Farmington, Davis County, (I-15 MM 323.36 E/S, N/F) North Facing, Coordinates: 40.9782, -111.8953
- SLC, Salt Lake County, (US 89 (State Street) N/O 3300 South E/S, N/F), North Facing, Coordinates: 40.7031, -111.8879
Protect our Lake, protect our powder locations:
- Logan, Cache County, (US 91 MM 25.40 W/S, N/F), North Facing, Coordinates: 41.7144, -111.8373
- SLC, Salt Lake County, (I-15 MM 305.76 E/S, N/F), North Facing, Coordinates: 40.7332, -111.9034
There’s no great economy without Great Salt Lake locations:
- Clearfield, Davis County, (I-15 MM 333.46 E/S, N/F), North Facing, Coordinates: 41.0962, -111.9962
- Lake Point, Tooele County, (SR 36 MM 65.50 W/S, N/F), North Facing, Coordinates: 40.6806, -112.2736
- Springville, Utah County, (I-15 MM 261 E/S, N/F), North Facing, Coordinates: 40.1713, -111.646
Without Great Salt Lake, powder days turn to dust locations:
- SLC, Salt Lake County, (SR 269 (6th South) MM 0.14 S/S, W/F), West Facing, Coordinates: 40.7559, -111.9049
- Riverdale, Weber County, (I-15 MM 339.42 E/S, N/F), North Facing, Coordinates: 41.1779, -112.0179
An empty lake means millions of empty nests location:
- West Valley City, Salt Lake County, (I-215 MM 18.79 W/S, S/F), South Facing, Coordinates: 40.7145, -111.9544
