Snowpack

Click the image below to download it as a png. Or, you can also view a full size image on the National Water and Climate Center site.

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.

NRCS Snow Survey Program

The NRCS Snow Survey Program provides mountain snowpack data and streamflow forecasts for the western United States. Common applications of Snow Survey products include water supply management, flood control, drought and avalanche prediction, climate modeling, recreation and conservation planning.

Experts track snowpack using snow water equivalent (SWE), which estimates the amount of water that would cover the ground if the snow cover was in a liquid state. You can view annual snow water equivalent for Utah from 1981 to the present, as well as median, maximum and minimum values, on the NRCS site.

Explore Utah SWE data

Utah Water Condition Updates

The Utah divisions of Water Rights and Water Resources provide regular water condition updates for the state. Updates are typically more frequent during summer months, but are provided year-round.

Water Condition Updates

Fall 2024

So far, the outlook for this year’s water conditions is mixed. Statewide precipitation has been close to median. However, soil moisture is low. It’s too early to accurately predict how efficient spring’s runoff will be.

Our reservoir storage remains high (74%) due to 2023’s incredible snowpack and prudent water management. Careful use of our stored resources will ensure we have water later.

In Utah, we are either in drought or preparing for the next one, so we always need to use our water wisely.

Making the most of our snowpack

2022-2023’s record-setting snowpack provided some much-needed relief for Utah’s water supply, and 2023-2024 was abundant too. But since we don’t know when another wet year 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