Sevier Lake
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Sevier Lake | |
---|---|
Location | Utah |
Lake type | intermittent endorheic |
Primary inflows | Beaver and Sevier Rivers |
Basin countries | United States |
Settlements |
Sevier Lake (pronounced /sɛˈviːr/) is an intermittent and endorheic lake which lies in the lowest part of the Sevier Desert, Millard County, Utah. Like Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake, it is one of the largest remnants of Lake Bonneville which covered much of the state in prehistoric times. Sevier Lake is fed primarily by the Beaver and Sevier Rivers and has been mostly dry throughout recorded history.
The first recorded observation was in 1872, which stated that the lake's surface area was 188 square miles, salinity was measured at 86 parts per thousand, two and a half times that of the ocean, and maximum depth was 15 feet. In January 1880 the lake was nearly dry, and had been so for the past one or two years. The Sevier River which once flowed to the lake is now largely diverted for irrigation. In 1987 however, the lake was again similar to the recorded description of 1872.
As a dry lake bed, Sevier is one of the sources of wind-blown dust in dust storms that frequently sweep the Wasatch Front.[1]
[edit] References
- Terminal Lake Systems - Sevier Lake. Utah Water Research Laboratory, Utah State University
- Utah History Encyclopedia.
- USGS Water Resources Links for: Sevier Lake
- Sevier River Flooding 1983-1984. WaterHistory.org