Utah Water Conditions Update August 2024

Published 08-15-24

SALT LAKE CITY (August 15, 2024) – Precipitation this summer has been underwhelming for most of the state. Heat has also been a major issue over the past months. Continued water conservation efforts are crucial as demand for water increases during these hotter months. 

“The state has been drying out this summer. Monsoons have been present in some form, but have been few and far between,” Candice Hasenyager, director of the Division of Water Resources, said. “We need more of these monsoons to saturate our soils for an efficient spring runoff next year.”

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FEMA Allocates $7.2 Million to Utah for Dam Safety Upgrades

Published 07-08-24

SALT LAKE CITY (July 8, 2024) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced that it has allocated $185 million to 32 states and one U.S. Territory for the rehabilitation of high-hazard dams. Utah is among the states receiving an initial award, and will likely receive $7.2 million.  

“Aging dam infrastructure and the requirement to meet the minimum dam safety standards make this initial award a welcome sight,” said Candice Hasenyager, director of the Division of Water Resources. “Dam improvements are imperative to the safety of Utahns, and they are also costly. We are grateful for FEMA’s support.”

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Image shows a flowing Jordan River at sunrise with trees lining the river

Utah Water Conditions Update June 2024

Published 06-27-24

SALT LAKE CITY (June 27, 2024) – As of late June, most of Utah’s snowpack has melted.  As we enter drier and hotter conditions, many streams and rivers are still running high, fast and cold – creating dangerous conditions. The state continues to stress caution around these water bodies. 

“Our snowpack melting gradually has helped fill reservoirs and replenish our natural environment,” Candice Hasenyager, director of the Division of Water Resources, said. “For the most part, we have avoided flooding concerns while managing reservoirs optimally.”

According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s June Water Supply Report, statewide storage is at its highest level in at least 15 years, if not much longer. Multiple basins (Weber-Ogden, Tooele Valley, Duchesne, Provo, Price, Southeastern Utah, and Beaver watersheds) are at or close to their reservoir storage capacity.

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Utah Water Conditions Update May 2024

Published 05-16-24

SALT LAKE CITY (May 16, 2024) – As of mid-May, over half of this winter’s snow has melted. Utah’s water conditions continue to benefit from favorable weather patterns, ensuring optimal spring runoff. Short periods of warm temperatures followed by cooler weather and precipitation have helped slow snowmelt. 

“A slow warmup is exactly what we need to have a safe and effective spring runoff,” Candice Hasenyager, director of the Division of Water Resources, said. “We still have a good amount of snow in the mountains, so we are hoping for a gradual snowmelt.”

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Spring landscape water-saving tips

Published 04-25-24

(April 25, 2024)

Spring weather is here, and the gardening season is beginning. Residentially, most of our water is used on the landscape. However, there are a few tricks to help reduce water waste without compromising the aesthetic value of your garden.

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7 ways to protect water resources in honor of Earth Day

Published 04-22-24

April 22, 2024 — 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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Utah Water Conditions Update April 2024

Published 04-18-24

SALT LAKE CITY (April 18, 2024) – As April unfolds, Utah’s water situation reflects a delicate balance between melting snowpack, reservoir management and rising temperatures. Recent data suggests that we most likely witnessed the peak of our snowpack, reaching 18.8 inches on April 2, surpassing the median peak snowpack of 16 inches.

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