SALT LAKE CITY (July 2, 2026) – With critical fire danger escalating across the state and drought conditions straining water supplies, officials are urging all residents to exercise extreme caution this holiday weekend. As fire activity intensifies, please recreate responsibly to help prevent new wildfire starts while crews manage ongoing incidents.
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SALT LAKE CITY (June 11, 2026) – With June temperatures rising, Utah is facing a deepening drought that has accelerated the drying of soils and vegetation across the state. Wildfire season has already been active with over 230 fires so far this year, a majority of which were human-caused.
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Water conservation critical as Utah’s water supply faces a drier year
SALT LAKE CITY (May 21, 2026) – Following the warmest winter on record and the lowest snowpack levels ever recorded in Utah, Gov. Spencer J. Cox issued an Executive Order today declaring a statewide state of emergency due to extreme drought conditions.
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Utah is updating its state water plan — a roadmap for how we manage, use and protect water across the state. The Division of Water Resources wants to hear from you! Water Talks are open, community gatherings where your voice helps shape the future of water in your region and beyond.
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Salt Lake City, Utah – Jul 23, 2025 – Ready to transform your yard into a beautiful, water-efficient oasis? The Utah Division of Water Resources is thrilled to announce the launch of three new resources designed to empower Utah homeowners in creating stunning, waterwise landscapes. Introducing the Waterwise Plant application, the comprehensive Homeowner Landscape Resources Guide and the engaging Waterwise Landscapes webinar series.
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SALT LAKE CITY (July 1, 2025) – With the peak of summer ahead, state water officials are planning for hot, dry weather driving up demand. With drought conditions persisting across the state, using water wisely is more important than ever. Storms in the southern part of the state have improved the situation, while drought conditions have worsened in the northern part of the state. Overall, 91% of the state remains in moderate to severe drought.
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Nearly 60% of residential water use in Utah goes straight into the landscape, making it the single biggest opportunity for personal impact. In an effort to save water, many folks are ditching their lawns and going all-in on “zeroscapes” — think rocks instead of roots. While the intention is right, replacing greenery with gravel isn’t the eco-win it seems. Turns out, those rock gardens may be saving water but at the cost of other environmental benefits.
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Water conservation critical as Utah’s water supply faces a drier year
Salt Lake City (April 24, 2025) – With low streamflow forecasts, increased water demand as temperatures rise and southern Utah experiencing extreme drought, Gov. Spencer J. Cox issued an Executive Order today declaring a state of emergency in 17 counties due to drought conditions. The counties include: Washington, Iron, San Juan, Kane, Juab, Emery, Grand, Beaver, Garfield, Piute, Millard, Tooele, Uintah, Carbon, Sevier, Sanpete and Wayne. This declaration reflects USDA’s disaster classifications that are informed by the U.S. Drought Monitor and NRCS’s water supply report.
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April 21, 2025 — Earth is a watery place. When we look at a photo from space, it’s easy to see that our planet has more water than land. But of all the water on Earth, more than 99-percent of it is unusable by humans and many other living things. It’s surprising that the water that supports all terrestrial and aquatic life on our planet is actually so scarce!
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SALT LAKE CITY (April 17, 2025) – Over 100 million gallons of water will be saved each year through landscape conversions in the 2024 Landscape Incentive Program. This vital initiative, led by the Utah Division of Water Resources and Central Utah, Jordan Valley, Washington County, and Weber Basin Water Conservancy Districts, empowers residents and businesses to save water while reducing water bills and contributing to Utah’s long-term water resilience.
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