The Urgent Call to Action in "The Lake"

Abby Ellis’ documentary “The Lake” highlights the imminent collapse of Utah’s Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, due to water overconsumption and rising temperatures. The film, showcased at the Sundance Film Festival, presents a stark portrayal of the environmental crisis, emphasizing the alarming state of the lake amidst warmer-than-usual January temperatures and the absence of snow in Park City, Utah. The documentary follows three key figures—Bonnie Baxter, Brian Steed, and Ben Abbott—who are actively engaged in efforts to combat the lake's decline.

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The documentary profiles Bonnie Baxter, a biology scientist reflecting on her childhood experiences around the lake, and Brian Steed, the Great Salt Lake Commissioner appointed by Governor Spencer Cox in 2023. Ben Abbott, a global ecologist, rounds out the trio, whose combined efforts illustrate the urgency of the situation. Their work is underscored by the grim reality that there are no successful case studies globally for reversing similar wetland disasters, leaving them without a roadmap for recovery.

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“The Lake” details the dire consequences of the lake's decline, including increased rates of cancer, respiratory issues, and reproductive health problems among communities surrounding the lake due to toxins released from the dry lakebed. The film presents a report predicting the lake's total collapse within five years, a forecast met with skepticism despite historic rainfall in late 2025. This skepticism reflects a broader apathy from lawmakers and the federal government, complicating efforts to secure necessary funding for critical infrastructure, such as dust monitors.

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Despite the overwhelming challenges, the documentary highlights some progress, including funding for dust monitors and initiatives aimed at improving water flows and protecting wetlands. However, the film concludes on a sobering note, echoing themes from Adam McKay’s “Don’t Look Up,” where the urgency of environmental crises is often ignored. The filmmakers convey that incremental victories in environmental battles can feel akin to losing, emphasizing the need for immediate action.

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Ellis’ work transcends the local context of Utah, serving as a cautionary tale applicable to global environmental struggles. The documentary argues that the lessons learned from the Great Salt Lake crisis should resonate with every environmental fight worldwide, urging a proactive rather than reactive approach to ecological preservation.

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The documentary reflects the sentiments of its subjects, who express frustration over the lack of urgency from policymakers. They advocate for immediate action, emphasizing that the time for a slow, measured response has passed.

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• “) “The Lake” instead leaves the aftertaste of a truthful note of caution, reminding audiences that when it comes to environmental battles, winning slowly is the same as losing.” — Abby Ellis, Director

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• “Science, in this case, requires us to sprint first and do the marathon later, not the other way around.” — Bonnie Baxter, Scientist

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• “Their analytical explanations that the rainfall is an anomaly and doesn’t eradicate the long-term problem mostly fall on deaf ears.” — Brian Steed, Great Salt Lake Commissioner

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While the documentary presents a unified narrative regarding the lake's decline, it also notes discrepancies in public perception, particularly regarding the significance of recent rainfall. The skepticism surrounding the lake's future highlights a gap in understanding the long-term implications of environmental changes.

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