Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
In 2022, Utah found itself receiving national and international criticism for being the epicenter for record low water levels on both the Great Salt Lake and America’s second largest reservoir, Lake Powell. Media stories criticized Utah for mismanaging these aquatic landscapes and showcased at-times archaic perspectives on water governance. After three legislative sessions and hundreds of news stories, Zach Frankel, Executive Director of the Utah Rivers Council, takes a big-picture look in 2025 to see what progress Utah is making in its stewardship of these two precious aquatic ecosystems entrusted to our state by other Americans and other residents of the Americas.
Recorded on July 20, 2025, as part of the annual Summer Forum series at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Special thanks to Steve Glaser and Joan Gregory for organizing and moderating this installment of Summer Forum.
00:00 Introduction
00:21 Welcome – Joan Gregory
01:23 Chalice Lighting – Carole Straughn
03:05 Introduction of Guest Speaker – Joan Gregory
05:05 Presentation – Zach Frankel, Executive Director of the Utah Rivers Council
56:17 Collection – Joan Gregory
56:53 Q & A with Zach Frankel
1:16:09 Wrap-up & Announcements – Joan Gregory
1:19:13 End Credits
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 Summer Forum and the other programs at First Unitarian Church are supported entirely by the financial contributions of members and friends like you.
→ Donate here: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ More Summer Forum presentations: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYtna6Mor0EyGIWIA2yn1Fu
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbGl3i7Iy3xA2S15vD-nRmI
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYFrZNgnLBFp-utnI2DxBq0
In 2022, Utah found itself receiving national and international criticism for being the epicenter for record low water levels on both the Great Salt Lake and America’s second largest reservoir, Lake Powell. Media stories criticized Utah for mismanaging these aquatic landscapes and showcased at-times archaic perspectives on water governance. After three legislative sessions and hundreds of news stories, Zach Frankel, Executive Director of the Utah Rivers Council, takes a big-picture look in 2025 to see what progress Utah is making in its stewardship of these two precious aquatic ecosystems entrusted to our state by other Americans and other residents of the Americas.
Recorded on July 20, 2025, as part of the annual Summer Forum series at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Special thanks to Steve Glaser and Joan Gregory for organizing and moderating this installment of Summer Forum.
00:00 Introduction
00:21 Welcome – Joan Gregory
01:23 Chalice Lighting – Carole Straughn
03:05 Introduction of Guest Speaker – Joan Gregory
05:05 Presentation – Zach Frankel, Executive Director of the Utah Rivers Council
56:17 Collection – Joan Gregory
56:53 Q & A with Zach Frankel
1:16:09 Wrap-up & Announcements – Joan Gregory
1:19:13 End Credits
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 Summer Forum and the other programs at First Unitarian Church are supported entirely by the financial contributions of members and friends like you.
→ Donate here: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ More Summer Forum presentations: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYtna6Mor0EyGIWIA2yn1Fu
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbGl3i7Iy3xA2S15vD-nRmI
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYFrZNgnLBFp-utnI2DxBq0
