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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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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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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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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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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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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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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SALT LAKE CITY (October 21, 2025) – The beginning of our Water Year, which began on Oct. 1, has delivered outstanding early-season precipitation. This historic moisture has profoundly improved water conditions and significantly boosted the outlook for our region’s water supply.
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SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 23, 2025) – The Water Development Coordinating Council will host four public meetings throughout the state in October to gather public input on the new Unified Water Infrastructure Plan (UWIP). These meetings are an opportunity for Utahns to learn more about the state’s new approach to funding water projects and to share their perspectives on Utah’s water future.
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SALT LAKE CITY (August 21, 2025) – Utah’s reservoir levels are showing a drastic decline. Since June 1, the state has drawn down reservoirs at a rate more than double the normal rate. This is due to increased demand, lower-than-normal spring runoff and an extremely dry summer.
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