You could probably change the name of Locomotive Springs to "Mouse Springs" based on the natural feature's declining water levels.
Located in remote north-central Box Elder County, the springs were named in the 1880s by early settlers who thought its thunderous sound of rushing water was like a locomotive as it was near the Golden Spike historic site.
However, a new cooperative study by the Utah Geological Survey and the Utah Division of Water Rights has confirmed that its flow has declined by about 80 percent since the late 1960s.
This threatens a riparian area that is an important migratory bird habitat crucial to the north tip of the Great Salt Lake. Locomotive Springs is a waterfowl management area.
The volume and area of the wetlands complex in the refuge have declined significantly due to the decreased discharge from the springs. In fact, a photo of the area taken in 2000 by the University of Utah's department of meteorology shows the Great Salt Lake very close to the springs. However, a similar picture taken in 2004 doesn't even highlight the lake's presence because it was so distant.
The new study also found that water levels and water quality in agricultural areas north of the springs have declined during the same time period.
The study found that a significant increase in groundwater pumping for agriculture over the past 40 years, combined with lower-than-average precipitation during the past 10 years, are the most likely causes of the declining discharge at Locomotive Springs.
This is a secondary reason for a decline in the level of the Great Salt Lake in recent years. The lake had its lowest levels in the early 1960s, as well as 2004 and 2008.
Declining water levels in agricultural areas have changed local and regional groundwater flow patterns and decreased the total amount of water flowing to the Locomotive Springs area, the study concluded.
Recycling of unused irrigation water into pumping wells is also likely another cause for the reduction of spring water.
"We are proud to participate in the production and publication of this excellent study, and we are pleased to share it with all the water users and stakeholders," said Jerry Olds, state engineer and director of water rights. "We trust they will take the opportunity to review this work closely and carefully consider the management alternatives for this resource."
Locomotive Springs is accessible by a dirt road and is located about 30 miles northwest of Golden Spike National Historic Site and about 13 miles southeast of Park Valley.
The new study was funded by the Utah Division of Water Rights, the U.S. Geological Survey and the UGS. It is available at geology.utah.gov or available for $19.95 at the Natural Resources Map and Bookstore, 1594 W. North Temple.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com