Utah drought situation critical, but conservation provides hope

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Utah’s reservoirs are below capacity, with the Upper Enterprise in Washington CountyOpens in a new tab. almost dry at 5% of capacity.

Salt Lake City’s Fox 13Opens in a new tab. reported that 33 of Utah’s 42 largest reservoirs are below 55% of capacity.

“To get streams running at healthy levels while filling reservoirs, Utah needs late summer and early fall storms to return soil moisture levels to normal, which will help snowpack runoff make it to streams and reservoirs rather than get absorbed by dry soils. The state also needs an above-average snowpack to refill reservoirs,” the Utah Department of Natural Resources said in its weekly report on the drought situation.  The weekly report for August 16Opens in a new tab. noted, “The U.S. Drought Monitor is reflecting a slight improvement in drought conditions, with 98.75% now in ‘extreme’ or ‘exceptional’ drought compared to 99.43% last week. This time last year, drought was starting to worsen with 24% in ‘extreme’ drought, with nowhere in the ‘exceptional’ drought category.”

The Great Salt Lake has dropped to a record low of 4,191.1 elevation feet.

If the drought continues into next year, there could be water rationing.  But for now, there are positive signs in the drought emergency. Local water districts have reported significant drop-offs in water usage. Utahns are following the guidance of water managers who have asked for conservation, including significant cuts to outdoor lawn watering. It has helped extend the state’s water supply this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqaBy1VH6T0

 

Deborah

Since 1995, Deborah has owned and operated LegalTech LLC with a focus on water rights. Before moving to Arizona in 1986, she worked as a quality control analyst for Honeywell and in commercial real estate, both in Texas. She learned about Arizona's water rights from the late and great attorney Michael Brophy of Ryley, Carlock & Applewhite. Her side interests are writing (and reading), Wordpress programming and much more.

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Vinnie D
Vinnie D
August 20, 2021 6:34 pm
Only 55% capacity for reservoirs and lakes. I see the lake and reservoir water lines lowering too. Water rationing does seem like its getting closer. The article states that their has been a bit of improvement
with local water districts reporting significant drop-offs in water usage, the numbers sound a bit better to me. I am making reference to the statement ‘98.75% now in ‘extreme’ or ‘exceptional’ drought compared to 99.43% last week’. That is significant considering it was measured in the span of one week.

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