The salt concentration in the water varies from 5 to 27% depending on the lake level. The average salinity of the oceans is about 3.5%. The Dead Sea is about 33.7%. The water is uninhabitable except to brine shrimp, brine flies and several forms of algae. It is estimated that during certain seasons, there are 100 billion brine flies that provide food for thousands of migratory birds. The shores of the lake are covered in oolitic sand, which is composed of small rounded grains of sand covered in calcium carbonate.
The largest of the lake's islands, Antelope Island, is connected to the mainland by a highway causeway, so it is technically not an island at all. It is a strange and mysterious place, with unusual plants and animals. There is a substantial buffalo herd (American Bison) that roam freely around the island.
The largest of the lake's islands, Antelope Island, is connected to the mainland by a highway causeway, so it is technically not an island at all. It is a strange and mysterious place, with unusual plants and animals. There is a substantial buffalo herd (American Bison) that roam freely around the island.
Sometimes, during a drought, the water levels drop to the point that the demise of the lake is predicted. Wetter years cause concern that the lake will flood valuable real estate. I figure it is sort of like the stock market, it goes up and down and both ways people are worried.
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