Remote Sensing: Dynamics of Utah Lake and Water Quality

Lakes, an important components of terrestrial ecosystems, vary widely in size, depth, and ecological characteristics. Small lakes, which are more common than larger ones, play vital roles in local ecosystems. however, these water bodies, particularly those that are terminated, exhibit high sensitivity to climate and environmental changes risking lives of hundred species. In such lakes, any alteration in water inflow significantly impacts the lake’s level and size, thereby affecting its physical parameters like temperature, pH, and turbidity. To address these impacts, remote sensing methods can be used to find the changes in any lake water level and water quality. This project aims to study the aspects using Utah Lake as a case study, utilizing remote sensing imagery to understand and illustrate the dynamics of lake size and water quality. LANDSAT images are extracted from Google Earth Engine and analyzed to positively define the proportional correlation between the lake level and the turbidity. Wet and dry years are selected for this analysis based on literature. The outcomes of this analysis will aid in identifying critical changes and inform decision-makers on protecting different species and habitants and planning and managing the lake's water resources to ensure both societal and ecological benefits.