Toxic, polluted, infested, scummy—these are just a few of the words that USU watershed researcher Wayne Wurtsbaugh uses to describe the condition of Farmington Bay. Located in the southeast corner of the Great Salt Lake, the bay receives the majority of wastewater and runoff from the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. Because it is enclosed by landmasses and a causeway, many of these contaminants become concentrated in the bay. This has caused a state of hypereutrophication, or excessive nutrient pollution, which poses potential health risks and odor problems. The pollution also causes cyanobacterial blooms (blue-green algae), which produce cyanotoxins that are harmful to aquatic life and even humans.

Because of the unusual characteristics of the Great Salt Lake, the Utah Division of Water Quality has not, until recently, applied water quality standards that are used elsewhere in the U.S.  Thus, Wurtsbaugh is working with state agencies to develop solutions that will protect its designated uses for recreation and the protection of aquatic wildlife.