Salt Lake Valley facts for kids

A portion of the Salt Lake Valley with Oquirrh Mountains in the background as seen looking southwest from City Creek Canyon.

Salt Lake Valley from space.

Greatest vertical relief in the valley. Twin Peaks has a rise of 7099 ft or 2164 m from the valley floor.

The Salt Lake Valley is a large valley in the state of Utah, in the western United States. It covers about 500 square miles (1,300 km2). This valley is home to Salt Lake City, which is the capital of Utah. Many other cities, like Murray, Sandy, and West Valley City, are also in the valley. More than one million people live here. When Brigham Young and other early settlers arrived, they said, "this is the right place."

Exploring Salt Lake Valley's Geography

The Salt Lake Valley is almost completely surrounded by tall mountains. These mountains rise very high, sometimes over 7,100 feet (2,164 meters) from the valley floor. To the east, you'll find the Wasatch Mountains. The Oquirrh Mountains are to the west. To the south, there is Traverse Ridge. The Great Salt Lake is to the northwest. You can even see the peaks of Antelope Island from the valley.

Entrances to the Valley

Getting into the Salt Lake Valley can be tricky because the entrances are very narrow. These narrow spots often get crowded with traffic.

• To the south, you can enter through the Jordan Narrows. This is a gap in the Traverse Mountains.
• To the northwest, there are narrow paths between the Great Salt Lake and the Oquirrh Mountains.
• To the north, you can find a way between the Great Salt Lake and the Wasatch Mountains.
• To the east, several canyons lead into the valley. These include Parley's Canyon and Emigration Canyon.

The Jordan River and Water Supply

The Jordan River flows through the valley. It starts in Utah Lake to the south and runs north. The river cuts through the middle of the valley before flowing into the Great Salt Lake. The Jordan River is very important. It provides water for farms and homes in the valley. Many mountain streams and reservoirs also help supply water. This water is needed because the valley is growing quickly.

Air Quality in the Valley

Because of how the Salt Lake Valley is shaped by the mountains, air can sometimes get trapped. This, along with many cars and other things that burn fuel, can lead to poor air quality.