Announcements

Utah Water & Wastewater News

Rural Water Association of Utah

Utah Declares Statewide Drought EmergencyFollowing the warmest winter on record and the lowest snowpack since 1930, a statewide state of emergency has been declared due to extreme drought conditions. Snowpack peaked about three weeks early, and all 29 counties are in severe drought, with 22 in extreme drought as defined by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Reservoir storage is approximately 70%.

The order activates the state Emergency Operations Plan and directs the state Drought Response Committee to review drought-related hardships and recommend actions. Additional information on current conditions and resources is available at Drought.Utah.gov.

Utah Drought Deepens, Water Systems Strain
Utah reports widespread drought with 100% of the state affected and 59% in extreme drought. Reservoir storage averages 71% (normal for the season, but down from 82% last year) as many rivers peaked before April 1 with muted runoff, according to NRCS. Colorado River conditions remain challenging: April–July Lake Powell inflow is projected at 800,000 acre-feet (lowest since initial filling), and the south arm of Great Salt Lake peaked early at 4,192.6 feet, a 1.6-foot rise since fall versus typical 3–5 feet in wet years.

Operational impacts are emerging across systems. Low reservoir levels are prompting some state parks to close boat launch ramps, and water-right cutoffs and delivery reductions are occurring earlier than normal, with temporary snowmelt-driven flows expected to diminish in coming weeks. To address heat- and low-water stress, the Division of Wildlife Resources is adjusting fish stocking and catch limits, including shifting toward more cool- and warmwater species; statewide conservation efforts continue through programs such as Agricultural Water Optimization and SlowTheFlow.