Chapter 8-17 Summary and Analysis

Chapter Eight, "Wilson's Phalarope; lake level: 4206.15'," discusses a law passed by the State of Utah regarding the lake levels off the Great Salt Lake. According to law, the lake level is not permitted to exceed 4202'. The author has noted that at this point the lake level is at 4206.15'. Obviously the Great Salt Lake is not abiding by the law. Williams states: "What lasso can you use to corral the West's latest outlaw?"

The government proposes five options should the Great Salt Lake exceed the legal lake level.

Option one: Breaching the Causeway, refers to breaching a part of the 13 mile long Southern Pacific Railroad Causeway. The causeway splits the Great Salt Lake into two parts. By breaching the causeway, the South arm's level could be reduced by 1 foot, allowing nature to have the time to take...