Contrasting Management and Fates of Two Sister Lakes: Great Salt Lake (USA) and Lake Urmia (Iran)

Many saline lakes throughout the world are shrinking due to overexploitation of water in their drainage basins. Among them two world’s largest lakes, U.S.A.’s Great Salt Lake, and Iran’s Lake Urmia. Here we provide a comparative analysis desiccation these that provides insights on management decisions may help save relevant lake worldwide. Urmia were once remarkably similar size, depth, salinity, geographic setting. High rates population growth both basins have fueled demand for irrigated agriculture other uses. In basin, this development began late 1800’s is continuing. The lake’s volume has decreased by 67%, with 75% loss driven 25% millennial drought which portend start global climate change impacts. This greatly increased salinities 180 g·L?1 stressing invertebrates birds depend. Only 1% people basin employed agriculture; thus, reducing irrigation development. Population densities double those 28% agriculture. These demographics led rapid increase reservoir construction since 2000 subsequent 87% Urmia’s volume. was later, but much faster than causing salinity from 190 over 350 just 20 years, severe ecological decline. Dust storms exposed lakebeds systems threaten health surrounding populations. To others will require: (1) transparent collaborative involvement local interest groups; (2) shifts away an agricultural-based economy one based manufacturing services; (3) consideration diverse ecosystem services including mineral extraction, recreation, bird habitats wetlands, dust control.