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Show second Rises By 4 More Inches w mmnswn BLODGETT Clipper News Kditor . By GARY R. GRE AT SALT EAKE - The Great Salt Lake, which actually series of about six smaller lakes, has expanded its sie by more than 1.5 million acres as a result of the lake level rising nearly 10 feet in the past two years. -- is a - AM) 'I'll K continued rise of the lake although not at as great of it pace is expected to continue, at least for this springs storm runoff. Hie lake already exceeds the highest level of a year ago - and the runoff hasnt even started. The lake level at the March 15 reading was 4,209.35 feet above sea level, an increase of about tour inches in the past month. -- SNONMACK in the mountains of the Wasatch Range is between It) and 135 percent of normal in most areas. This compares to snow packs averaging up to 300 percent during early springs of 19X3 and 1984. Potentially . the runoff should not be as severe as the past two springs. Hut then it shouldn't be. Runoff during the past two years have put back to back years of nearly 10 feet total rise in the level of the Great Salt Lake. This compares to 3 to 3': feet rise during normal years, according to Stan Elmer, of Bountiful, who coordinates planning efforts of the Great Salt Lake for the Division of State Lands and Forestry. I SPEAKING TO the Bountiful Area Chamber of Commerce at a noon luncheon last Wednesday. Mr. Elmer said he did not expect the runoff to be that high again this spring - or in the near future. rise in the lake "But then didn't believe any thing like a level during a two-yeperiod could be possible, he said. "I'm lucky don't have to predict the future of the lake. My job is to plan what should be done to preserve the health and safety of public facilities affected by the lake's rising water level. -- I l()-fo- ar 1 HE S Ml) the major concern this year w ill be the diking of the south and east shores of the lake to preserve Interstate Highway to dike for 80: to preserve a railroad track running parallel to ImDavis Sewer South of treatment north the plant protection other to as and to dike District: protect necessary provement public facilities in Salt Lake. Davis. Weber and Box Elder counties. Bey ond this spring, there is no assurance of w hat must be done. e problems simply can't be projected, but studies are made by Montgomery Engineering to determine diking and being as the lake level rises, Mr. Elmer noted. needs pumping Long-rang- HE SAID about $175 million has been spent to date to dike and attempt to preserve highways, railroads, lakeside industries, etc. But this figure would be a drop in the bucket if the lake reaches levels of 4.212 to 4.216 feet. or example. Hood water from the lake could have a serious affect on up to $600 million w orth of property at an elevation of which easily could be reached this spring. If the only 4.212 feet lake rose to a level of 4,2 16 feet, more than $2 billion worth of property would be endangered. SALT EAKE International Airport runways are approximately 4.2 16 feet above sea level, but the airport does have a very good pumping and drainage system that w ith proper diking could probably take a lake level of nearly 4.225 feet before being seriously endangered, said Mr. Elmer. He told the Chamber that pumping or drainage into the western e desert is being considered as a plan but that installation of pumps and maintenance of the pumps until the lake receded would be very costly. THE EAKE bed is the lowest point and it would require a level 1 - long-rang- GSL CLOSING IN The rising water of the Great Salt Lake is rapidly closing in on public and private property near the South Davis Sewage Treatment Plant in West Bountiful. Picture above looks west on 1200 North where water lasa week lapped over roadway and into nearby front yards. At right, a slender dike separates sewage treatment plant (foreground) with the rising lake. Photos by Clipper News Editor Gary R. Blodgett. into the desert." he said. By lake would from the water flood engulf sections of Interthen, state Highway 15 in Davis. Weber and Box Elder counties and would cause untold millions of dollars damage to private and public structures in addition to farmlands." He noted that the lake is actually separated into about six smaller lakes because of diking or causeways being constructed. With the continued rise of the lake level, how ever, more areas - of about 4,217 feet to free-flo- w -- She was right. Highland moved into the Class t win girls' championships with a over Bonneville... Female referee Janet Johnson had a pregame feeling that her game was going to be 4-- close, going right down to the wire... one-poin- like Farmington Bay, will again be a part of one huge lake. ASKED ABOUT controlling the water before it reaches the lake, Mr. Elmer noted that it would take at least 20 years to complete an adequate system and the controlled water would be only a small part of the total amount of water that flows each spring into the lake. (See additional story and picture on front page.) Meanwhile, the going got a little heated between Janet and a team coach following a disputed foul... The referee, of course, won the argument and all the particulars are explained to the officials bench. Slue Calls Em As She Sees Em continued from pg. 1 Janet said she was a little ncrous, but very excited because she had been asked to officiate the semifinal game in the championship bracket. THIS IS going to be a good one." she smiled. "Both teams are fast and shoot extremely well. I'm going to have to be ready for any- thing." And she was right. The game deciwent to the wire, a one-poision - and each call was crucial. But as the game ended, another re- feree sitting in the stands commented that she "did a real nice job. She hung in there real well." JANET SAID the easiest games to officiate are those that are played by both teams. When they get sloppy, that's when the referee has trouble." she said. She explained that there is very little complaining by players and coaches in girls' sports. "And we don't tolerate much complaining, Well especially foul language. listen to complaints when there is legitimate reason - otherwise, a technical foul probably will be called." BUT I haven't had to call a single technical all season," she -- almost called a few, but things cooled off and it wasn't said. I necessary. She emphasized that officials must always have control of the game and not let the players, coaches or fans influence their de cisions. THE HARDEST thing lor me to cope with are the parents." she said. They get very emotional and have some very biased opinions." She said she tries not to have "rabbit ears" hear what the Ians but sometimes ou are yelling can't help but hear. "And some of - - the things they say are very crude." JANET RANKS high among the officials calling girls' sports, quite often getting the championship games. In tournament play she says, you seldom officiate the same . team twice except perhaps in the semi-final- s or finals. Officials for each game aie selected the night before a tournament game and usually tire picked only if their name appears on ti preferred list" submitted by the coaches. IF A referee's name everappears on a "blackball list." they will not be called to officiate that school's team. Officials are blackballed by a school when a principal (usually not the coach) submits a name to the UHSAA officials. However, a referee seldom, if ever, will know if he or she has been blackballed by a school. BASKETBALL officials are all different and wan k differently with various partners. Those that wan k best together are usually called to officiate together, she explained. Janet is the type of oflichd that seldom talks to a player or coach Other only to issue a warning. officials," she says, will talk quite a bit to the players during the game. But I don't want to appear as though 1 might be coaching one team or the other." ASKEI) ABOUT her tolerance' level - especially with fans - Janet admitted that it is probably pretty high. She confesses that if fans pay to see the game they have a I right to holler. just don't like those that yell degrading or crude remarks to me, my partner, or any of the players. She said her goal for each game is "to do the best and fairest job that I can." She noted that the outcome of the game should rely on the two teams, not the calls of officials. A MEMBER of the Salt Lake -- inwiw t -- Officials and Utah Basketball College Officials Association, Janet said pay for the women officials is exactly the same as for men. And it should be. 1 have a lot of experience and dedication to the sport and I work just as hard as the men to do a good job. I have to do a good job maybe a better job -than my counterpart," she said. I ENJOY officiating with men and the coaches of women's sports are just great. I wish there were more female officials and maybe sometime soon there will be." Janet gives a lot of credit to her husband, Phillip, who, she says, is a "great listener and supports her profession. Also cheering for Mom are their three children, Leigh. 8; Jaee, 6; and Lindsay, 3. - |