Rockport Reservoir in the morning as the sun rises with heavy cloud coverage

Drought Update 09/17/26

Published 09-17-26

SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 17, 2026) – As autumn approaches and nighttime temperatures cool down, the Utah Division of Water Resources reminds Utahns to adjust their irrigation habits and prepare for the upcoming water year.

“With shorter days and cooler evening temperatures, landscape water requirements decrease significantly,” Joel Williams, director at the Division of Water Resources, said. “Irrigation timers should be adjusted down or turned off. Leaving automatic sprinklers on summer schedules leads to wasteful overwatering. Follow our Weekly Lawn Watering Guide for general recommendations”

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collage of three older toilets

One Last Flush: Utah Retires Toilet Rebate Program

Published 08-28-26

After helping thousands of Utah homeowners upgrade to water-efficient toilets over the past several years, the Utah Water Savers Toilet Replacement Program will be coming to a close.

Since launching in 2019, the program has helped more than 4,500 Utah households replace nearly 6,000 older, high-water-use toilets with new EPA WaterSense® labeled models, saving millions of gallons of water while improving water efficiency in homes across the state.

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East Canyon Reservoir with receding water showing plenty of beach space

Drought Update 08/27/2026

Published 08-27-26

SALT LAKE CITY (August 27, 2026) – While recent monsoon rains have reduced demand on local supply and storage in some areas, it will not be enough to pull Utah out of the drought. Reservoirs and lakes will continue to decline until October, when irrigation season ends. 

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shore of Great Salt Lake with mountains in the background

Drought Update 08/13/26 

Published 08-13-26

SALT LAKE CITY (August 13, 2026) – As the summer continues, Utah is experiencing notable shifts in local conditions. While the wildfire season remains active, a downward trend in average high temperatures is appearing. This past July ranked as the second-hottest July on record in Utah, underscoring the season’s intensity. 

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sandbags with muddy water in the background

Drought Update  07/30/26

Published 07-30-26

SALT LAKE CITY (July 30, 2026) – Summer monsoons have brought much-needed precipitation to some parts of the state, offering relief by decreasing demand on our water supplies. This moisture has also come at a severe cost, as these intense weather events have unfortunately resulted in the destruction of property and, tragically, the loss of life. As we navigate the remainder of the summer, we urge all residents to remain vigilant and prioritize safety.

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Utah Division of Water Resources Releases 2026 State Water Plan Draft 

Published 07-23-26

SALT LAKE CITY (July 23, 2026) – After significant collaboration with the public, and partners across the state, the Utah Division of Water Resources has released a draft of the 2026 State Water Plan. The division has been working with state agencies, local governments, tribal representatives, watershed councils, water providers and members of the public to shape the plan.

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Willard Bay State Park with a beach in the foreground

Escalating fire danger and drought strain resources ahead of holiday weekend

Published 07-02-26

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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Image shows a hillside with smoke rising from the South Mountain Fire.

Drought Update 06/11/26

Published 06-11-26

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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Gov. Cox Issues Drought Executive Order

Published 05-28-26

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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Drought Update 05/14/26

Published 05-27-26

SALT LAKE CITY (May 14, 2026) – As temperatures heat up, Utahns are urged to be water-conscious and aware of the various impacts of drought this late spring/early summer. The state anticipates drought conditions to worsen, causing stress on wildlife, recreation, and water supply. Drying vegetation will also create the conditions for increased fire danger. Currently, 100% of the state is in some form of drought, and 59% is in extreme drought. 

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