Preliminary Newfoundland Evaporation Basin Surface Water Availability Assessment

This study evaluates the availability of surface water that accumulates intermittently in the Newfoundland Basin region as a potential source to augment inflows to Great Salt Lake (GSL). Using satellite imagery, a digital elevation model (DEM), evaporation estimates from the Penman surface water evaporation equation, and remote sensing products, we quantified water extent, volume, and variability of water available in Newfoundland Basin over the past 12 years. Results indicate that the basin intermittently accumulates shallow water, with annual maximum volumes ranging from less than 10 thousand acre-ft (kaf) in dry years to over 100 kaf in wet years. Evaporation estimates provide an upper bound on potential water availability. Preliminary findings suggest that 20–50 kaf/year could feasibly be diverted to GSL, potentially raising sustained long term lake levels by 0.2–0.5 ft. Further work is needed to refine estimates and assess engineering feasibility.