Drought Update 02/21/23

Published 02-21-23

SALT LAKE CITY (Feb. 21, 2022) – Utah’s snowpack is currently above the April peak. More snowstorms, such as the one forecasted this week, are needed to keep our snowpack above average. Many reservoirs are expected to fill, while larger water bodies will take multiple years of above-average snowpack to fill.  Cold temperatures and an effective melt are needed to begin refilling reservoirs. 

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Research universities and state agencies team up to offer solutions for Great Salt Lake

Published 02-16-23

Analysis includes a data repository, research, and policy options that will help return the lake to healthy levels

February 8, 2023 (Salt Lake City) – Declining water levels of Great Salt Lake threaten economic activity, local public health, and ecosystems. In response to this emergent statewide challenge, Utah’s public research universities formed the Great Salt Lake Strike Team, a collaboration of experts in public policy, hydrology, water management, climatology, and dust. Today they released a Great Salt Lake Policy Assessment that affirms the situation is urgent, but also identifies a variety of policy levers that can return the lake to healthy levels.

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 Colorado River States Submit a Consensus-Based Modeling Alternative to Bureau of Reclamation 

Published 01-31-23

Six states reach consensus on criteria for environmental review to help protect lakes Powell and Mead 

January 30, 2023 – Today, states sharing the Colorado River submitted a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) that outlines a Consensus-Based Modeling Alternative for Reclamation to evaluate and incorporate into its development of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to revise current Operating Guidelines (’07 Guidelines) for Glen Canyon Dam at Lake Powell and Hoover Dam at Lake Mead. 

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Third round of grant funding applications for the purchase and installation of secondary meters announced

Published 11-30-22

The funds will be distributed through the Board of Water Resources in an effort to increase water conservation statewide 

SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 30, 2022) – After two initial two rounds of funding, the Utah Division of Water Resources is opening up a third round of applications for the purchase and installation of secondary meters. Through the first two rounds, the Board of Water Resources authorized over $190 million towards this effort. Systems that have installed secondary meters have seen a 20-30% reduction in water use simply by informing customers how much water they use. These grant funds are for secondary water providers, not residents. 

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Utah Board of Water Resources celebrates its 75th anniversary

Published 11-01-22

Happy 75th anniversary to us!

💦 Seventy-five years

💦 1,530 projects

💦 $988M in Board Funding

From dam development and upgrades, to water data collection and planning, and hundreds of critical projects in between, we’ve worked hard to protect Utah’s water. Now more than ever, we’re committed to collaboration with the water community to address the challenges ahead of us. We celebrate these many accomplishments, but we also celebrate you, Utahns, for your efforts to conserve and your continued support!

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Image of Utah Division Of Water Resources logo and Flip Blitz logo

Communities Across the State Converting Over 120,000 sq. ft of Thirsty Grass to Drought-Resistant Landscapes

Published 05-18-22

The Utah Division of Water Resources, water districts, municipalities and one university will convert 120,441 sq. ft of grassy park strips and other landscapes to waterwise landscapes on May 19. This is the second “Flip Blitz,” a campaign that aims to raise awareness about how small landscape changes can make a big difference. Over 85% of the conversions will take place in Washington County alone.

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Weekly Lawn Watering Guide now recommending at least “one irrigation per week” for the entire state

Published 05-16-22

Is it time to turn the sprinklers on? Check the Utah Division of Water Resources’ Weekly Lawn Watering Guide and find out. The guide is posted every Friday on the division’s Facebook page and website during irrigation season to help Utahns target water needs in each county. Utah has been in drought eight out of the last 10 years. We encourage all residents to check with their local water provider for restrictions. 

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$250 Million for the Installation of Secondary Meters Will Fast-Track Water Conservation Efforts

Published 04-05-22

Application period runs April 1-May 15 for secondary water providers

SALT LAKE CITY (April 5, 2022) – Grant funds allocated during the past legislative session for metering secondary water (untreated water for irrigation) are now available. HB242 allocated $250 million to help secondary water providers accelerate meter installation. Areas that have installed secondary meters have seen a reduction in water use by about 20-30%. The Division of Water Resources will administer the program, with the initial application period running April 1-May 15. 

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Water Resources “Blitzes” park strips to show Utahns how to save thousands of gallons

Published 09-21-21

SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 20, 2021) – The Utah Division of Water Resources will convert four grassy park strips to lush but water-wise landscapes to launch “Flip Blitz,” a campaign that aims to raise awareness about how small landscape changes can make a big difference. The campaign kicks off Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 13218 S Herriman Rose Blvd, Herriman, Utah 84096 at 9 a.m.

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