Managers report large-scale Phragmites gains at Great Salt Lake but stress need for water, funding and upstream control

Land managers and researchers told the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council on Sept. 10 that coordinated treatments and restoration have reduced Phragmites cover in many treated wetlands but that long-term success depends on water availability, sustained funding and more upstream control. Keith Hambrecht, deputy with the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, said, "In 2024, Forestry Fire and State Lands was able to do its largest treatment to date. We treated over 11,000 acres."

The council heard technical presentations showing treatment practices, mapping efforts and new measurements of plant water use. Chad Cranny, wetland manager for the Division of Wildlife Resources, described the treatment protocol used across impounded wetlands on state sovereign lands: late-season systemic herbicide application followed about 30 days later by burning, mowing or trampling, repeated for three consecutive years until Phragmites cover drops toward a management target. "We have to repeat this for many years until we get down to 10% cover or less to reach our habitat management goals," Cranny said.

Why it matters: dense Phragmites replaces native wetland vegetation, reduces shorebird and waterfowl use and can change hydrology by impeding flow. Managers said effective control can open surface water, encourage native plants such as bulrush and saltgrass, and return habitat functions — but those gains are vulnerable without follow-up management and sufficient water.

Treatment results and constraints: presenters showed before-and-after photos and…