Massive freshwater layer found beneath Great Salt Lake could reshape Utah's water future

Scientists using airborne electromagnetic surveys found a deep layer of fresh water beneath the eastern margin of Utah's Great Salt Lake, ranging from about 100 meters to 2.5 miles deep. The water likely originates from surrounding mountains and is trapped by underlying rock, suggesting a potentially vast reservoir that could help damp toxic dust from exposed lake beds and provide irrigation water, though expansion of the survey is needed to determine full extent.