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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Increased wildfire activity

Over the past week, there has been increased fire activity throughout the state with two fires exceeding 1,000 acres. Statewide drought conditions are increasing fire potential with lower fuel moisture levels in the lighter grasses and sagebrush. Lower fuel moisture, coupled with red-flag winds, was the driving factor behind the wildfire activity we saw over the last week.  As vegetation continues to dry to critical levels in the summer heat, fire officials are seeing an increase in fire behavior a couple of weeks earlier than usual.

Areas of the state are beginning to implement Stage 1 fire restrictions. In Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane and Washington counties, fire restrictions took effect June 5. 

Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution with ignition sources and stay informed on local fire safety restrictions as we navigate these heightened conditions. 

Reservoirs, lakes and streams are impacted by rising temperatures

  • Reservoir storage averages 68% full, which is 7% lower than the normal for this time of year, and 18% lower than this time last year. 
  • Water levels at many Utah state parks are experiencing extreme lows. When reservoirs reach these levels, some parks are forced to close their boat launch ramps in order to help better protect visitors and their property. Visit the Division of State Parks boat ramp conditions webpage for more information. 
  • Because Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) may be happening earlier than normal, residents are urged to learn how to identify them and find current water advisories at HABs.utah.gov  
  • As noted in the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s June 1 Water Supply Outlook Report for Utah, Lake Powell remains very low (24% capacity), with the only years when the June 1 value was lower occurring in the mid to late 1960s, when the reservoir was initially being filled.

Tips for keeping deer out of your garden during a drought Year

Due to extreme drought conditions, wildlife may migrate into neighborhoods during the summer months in search of food and water. The most reliable way to keep deer out and minimize damage is to build an 8-foot fence. Homeowners can also install motion-activated sprinklers or plant unpalatable vegetation. 

While feeding wildlife is not illegal unless specified by local ordinances, DWR officials strongly discourage it as it can cause public safety concerns, spread disease, and make animals lose their fear of people. Residents should report sick or aggressive deer or elk, or any moose, bears, or cougars that have migrated into populated areas to the Utah Division of Wildlife. More information can be found here.

Early runoff and dry conditions continue to impact Utah water supplies 

Several water systems are experiencing earlier runoff, leading to reductions in water deliveries as streamflows decline. Conditions vary by basin, but many systems continue to reflect drought impacts similar to those seen in recent dry years.

Key observations from around the state include:

Division staff and water commissioners continue to monitor conditions, administer water rights, and work with water users throughout the irrigation season. Conditions are expected to grow as remaining snowmelt runoff declines and summer water demands increase.

  • Bear River – Streamflows remain higher than those observed during the same period in 2021, but much of the runoff arrived earlier than normal due to warmer spring temperatures.
  • Upper Provo River – Streamflows remained above 2021 levels through late May due to accelerated snowmelt caused by warmer temperatures. Water managers expect flows to decline as runoff season ends, and nearby systems have already experienced water right regulation significantly earlier than normal.
  • Upper Duchesne River – Conditions are comparable to (and in some cases more challenging than) those experienced during the 2021 drought year as streamflows continue to decline after peak runoff.
  • Upper Sevier River – Current deliveries remain above 2021 levels, but reflect an early runoff season with anticipated reductions as summer demand increases.

For detailed river system statistics and conditions, see the full report here. 

Agriculture is optimizing efforts to combat drought

Agricultural producers face increased pressure as seasonal water supplies tighten across the state. In response to these conditions, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food urges farmers to implement water-efficiency strategies, such as optimizing irrigation schedules and monitoring soil moisture levels closely. 

Resources are available to assist in adopting precision agriculture technologies that maximize crop yields while minimizing water use during extended drought.

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For more information, contact Michael Sanchez, public information officer, at 385-226-8967 or email MASanchez@utah.gov.  

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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Image shows Echo Reservoir Boat ramp with mountains in the background

Drought Update 04/23/26

Published 04-23-26

SALT LAKE CITY (April 23, 2026) – In a typical year, Utah’s runoff – which refills our reservoirs – would just be getting underway. However, due to record-low snowpack and record-high temperatures, peak runoff has already come and gone. While larger reservoirs with multiple years of storage are doing well, smaller reservoirs with one or two years of storage capacity are struggling.  

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image shows the Wasatch Mountains with minimal snow, mostly in higher elevations

Utah Water Conditions Update March 2026

Published 03-19-26

SALT LAKE CITY (March 19, 2026) – Utah’s snowpack is the lowest on record and peaked three weeks early. The state’s peak was on March 9 at 8.4 inches, which is about half of what the state typically receives by the beginning of April. Weather forecasts suggest that snowmelt will outpace any new snow the state might receive. 

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Image shows Echo Reservoir from a plan with snow on the mountains

Wings Over Weber ASO Project: A new era of snow measurement for the Great Salt Lake Basin 

Published 03-10-26

The Utah Division of Water Resources has partnered with Weber Basin Water Conservancy District and the Great Salt Lake Commissioner’s Office to expand and explore the use of Airborne Snow Observatories (ASO) technology in the Great Salt Lake Basin. This ASO project,  known as “Wings over Weber”, is the second of its kind in Utah and the first focused on a watershed within the GSL Basin. The project is funded, in part, by a grant from the Bureau of Reclamation.

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Image shows City Creek with snow on the sides of the creek.

Utah Water Conditions Update February 2026

Published 02-19-26

SALT LAKE CITY (Feb. 19, 2026) – Utah experienced a more active storm cycle near the end of February. While this is a welcome respite from the dry winter so far, the state would need the active pattern to persist through the beginning of April, when the state typically experiences peak snowpack, to achieve near-normal runoff in the spring. 

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Image shows the Jordan River with grass along the sides.

Utah Water Conditions Update January 2026

Published 01-22-26

SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 22, 2026) – Utah’s lackluster snow season continues to be a concern. 95% of the state’s water supply comes from snowpack. Refilling reservoirs is less likely if the trend of dismal snowstorms continues. 2025 was the warmest year on record for Utah, according to the National Weather Service. 

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picture shows an image of a mountain range in Kamas. It shows a very small amount of snow on the mountains.

Utah Water Conditions Update December 2025

Published 12-18-25

SALT LAKE CITY (Dec. 18, 2025) – A warm and dry December and November have left the state with below-normal snow totals. While this is a reason for concern, two or three good storm cycles could bring the state up to normal levels. Utah’s snowpack typically peaks around the beginning of April. 

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