Monitoring snowpack helps our water managers and partners make management decisions to increase our resiliency.
In Utah, we get approximately 95% of our water from snowpack. Reservoir storage is dependent upon snowpack and runoff to get us through dry years. Extended drought has depleted our reservoirs, and it will take multiple years of above-average snowpack and precipitation to reverse drought impacts.
NRCS Snow Survey Program
Spring 2023
Typically, Utah’s snowpack peaks around the first of April, with a 30-year median of 15.8 inches of water. In 2023, the peak was 30 inches. This breaks the previous record high, making 2023 Utah’s deepest snowpack on record.
High snowpack meant some flooding occurred. However, improvements to infrastructure, a slow melting period and emergency preparedness actions by citizens and state officials minimized damage. Learn more about floods and preparedness from the Utah Division of Emergency Management by visiting floodhazards.utah.gov
Making the most of this snowpack
Last 2022-2023’s record-setting snowpack provided some much-needed relief for Utah’s water supply. But since we don’t know when another wet year like this will come along, we need to unite and focus on reducing water use so we have enough in the future. By continuing to conserve — and finding new ways to stretch the supply — we’ll become more drought resilient as a state.
Conservation Resources:
- For farmers: Learn how you can get funds for using water more efficiently
- For residents: Learn how to save more around the house
- For municipalities: Learn how to integrate water considerations into land planning