Trending Now - Researchers Uncover Large Freshwater Aquifer Beneath Great Salt Lake

WHO:

Yahoo - Researchers from the University of Utah, including lead author Michael Zhdanov and co-author Bill Johnson.

KSL.com - University of Utah Department of Geology and Geophysics.

WHAT:

Yahoo - A new study confirmed the presence of a large groundwater reservoir beneath Farmington Bay.

KSL.com - The study found that freshwater saturates sediments beneath the Great Salt Lake to depths of about 10,000 to 13,000 feet.

KSL.com - The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports in February 2026.

Yahoo - The Great Salt Lake has shrunk by more than half since 1986.

KSL.com - The study involved 10 east-west surveys covering 154 miles in total.

WHERE:

Yahoo - The Great Salt Lake, specifically Farmington Bay and the northern part of Antelope Island.

KSL.com - The surveys were conducted over Farmington Bay.

WHEN:

KSL.com - The study's findings were published in February 2026.

KSL.com - The surveys were conducted in February 2025.

WHY:

Yahoo - The discovery of the freshwater reservoir could help mitigate dust pollution caused by the drying lakebed.

KSL.com - The appearance of circular phragmites mounds on the lakebed prompted the study.

HOW:

Yahoo - Researchers used airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys to detect freshwater beneath the lake's surface.

KSL.com - The surveys involved flying a helicopter equipped with electromagnetic equipment to gather data on the conductivity of the brine and the resistive freshwater below.

(UPDATED March 30, 2026 23:12 UTC)

A new study from researchers at the University of Utah has confirmed the presence of a large groundwater reservoir beneath Farmington Bay, with findings published in the journal Scientific Reports in February 20th26. The research, which involved ten east-west surveys covering 154 miles, found that freshwater saturates sediments beneath the Great Salt Lake to depths of about 10,000 to 13,000 feet, a significant discovery given the lake has shrunk by more than half since 1986. This freshwater reservoir could potentially help mitigate dust pollution caused by the drying lakebed, and the study was prompted by the appearance of circular phragmites mounds on the lakebed.