Utah Lake
Utah Lake is a large shallow eutrophic lake located in north central Utah. In recent years, the occurrence of toxic cyanobacteria blooms has brought new urgency in understanding the cause and effects of eutrophication in Utah Lake. As agencies work towards reducing nutrient concentrations and improving water quality, there arises some uncertainty as to what P concentrations in the lake were prior to the settlement of Utah Valley, and therefore whether nutrient management efforts are necessary or even feasible. Because of Utah Lake’s unusual features as a shallow remnant of the ancient Lake Bonneville, it may be difficult to assume anything about its historic P concentrations by comparing it to other regional lacustrine systems.
We are working on a variety of projects to better understand the current controls of phosphorus cycling within Utah Lake, and to understand how anthropogenic factors, such as nutrient loading, and fish introductions, have influenced this important system. Our study is expected to provide a clear historical framework for the timing of environmental shifts as they may relate to natural variability of anthropogenic forcing in the catchment and the lake basin itself.
We are working on a variety of projects to better understand the current controls of phosphorus cycling within Utah Lake, and to understand how anthropogenic factors, such as nutrient loading, and fish introductions, have influenced this important system. Our study is expected to provide a clear historical framework for the timing of environmental shifts as they may relate to natural variability of anthropogenic forcing in the catchment and the lake basin itself.
Publications and Thesis
**King, L., **Devey, M., Leavitt, P.R., Power, M.J., Brothers, S., Brahney, J. (2024) Anthropogenic forcing led to an abrupt shift to phytoplankton-dominance in a shallow eutrophic lake. Freshwater Biology
**King, L., Brahney, J., Daly, S., Paul, M.J., Salk, K.R., Brothers, S. (2023) Primary production modeling identifies restoration targets for shiftig shallow, eutrophic lakes to clear water regimes. Freshwater Science
Devey, M. (2022) Comparing multiple approaches to reconstructing the phosphorus history of marl lakes: A Utah Lake case study
Brahney, J., (2019) Estimating total and bioavailable nutrient loading to Utah Lake from the Atmosphere. White Paper. https://doi.org/10.15142/em0e-tt24
King, L. (2019) The response of Utah Lake's plant and algal community structure to cultural eutrophication
**King, L., **Devey, M., Leavitt, P.R., Power, M.J., Brothers, S., Brahney, J. (2024) Anthropogenic forcing led to an abrupt shift to phytoplankton-dominance in a shallow eutrophic lake. Freshwater Biology
**King, L., Brahney, J., Daly, S., Paul, M.J., Salk, K.R., Brothers, S. (2023) Primary production modeling identifies restoration targets for shiftig shallow, eutrophic lakes to clear water regimes. Freshwater Science
Devey, M. (2022) Comparing multiple approaches to reconstructing the phosphorus history of marl lakes: A Utah Lake case study
Brahney, J., (2019) Estimating total and bioavailable nutrient loading to Utah Lake from the Atmosphere. White Paper. https://doi.org/10.15142/em0e-tt24
King, L. (2019) The response of Utah Lake's plant and algal community structure to cultural eutrophication