How has the railroad causeway affected the Great Salt Lake?
The rock-fill causeway has had two major effects on the Great Salt Lake, both related to restricted circulation of water between the north and south arms: (1) the south arm has maintained a higher water level than the north, and (2), the north arm has become saltier than the south. These conditions persist despite two 15-foot-wide by 20-foot-deep open culverts that were built into the causeway to facilitate water and boat movement between the two arms, and despite a 300-foot-wide breach (opening) which was cut through the causeway near Lakeside in 1984 as a flood-control measure.
