SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 30, 2023) – As Utah approaches the end of fall, water experts are closely monitoring the state’s water conditions, presenting a mixed picture of hope and caution.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE), a critical metric for assessing water availability, currently stands at 39% below normal for this time of year. With 125 days remaining until the typical peak snowpack, the state is cautiously optimistic about the potential for a good snow year.
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Draft Statewide Water Marketing Strategies Report, water marketing website, and dynamic resources. Please join us for a public open house on Nov. 7, details below.
SALT LAKE CITY, (Nov. 1) — The Board of Water Resources is pleased to announce pivotal milestones in water management with the release of the draft Statewide Marketing Strategies Report, online water marketing materials and dynamic resources for water users. With demand for water increasing, water marketing is one method of achieving multiple state-wide water priorities and policies.
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Healthy, functional lawn areas (sometimes referred to as turfgrass) perform a vital role in the urban landscape. Though grass doesn’t belong everywhere — and folks can get cash for tearing it out and replacing it with drought-tolerant landscaping in places where it’s not being used — lawns provide durable areas for outside play, as well as ecosystem services and benefits. That’s why we’ve teamed up with turfgrass science experts at USU Extension to put together these tips that’ll help you prep your grass for wintertime and increase its drought tolerance.
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SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 12, 2023) – As the new water year begins, Utah reservoirs and soil moisture are in a good spot as water managers start tracking data such as snow accumulation, stream flows and soil moisture.
“A water year, spanning from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, aligns with natural precipitation and snowmelt patterns, providing a holistic view of our water resources,” Candice Hasenyager, the director of the Division of Water Resources, said. “This timeframe allows water managers to assess reservoir levels, monitor precipitation patterns and plan strategically for the diverse water needs of our communities.”
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Washington, D.C. (Oct. 10, 2023)—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has honored the Utah Division of Water Resources with a WaterSense Excellence Award for their work promoting WaterSense and water efficiency in 2022. WaterSense recognized its Sustained Excellence, Partner of the Year, and Excellence Award winners during the WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Oct. 5th. Utah Division of Water Resources was one of 25 Excellence Award winners.
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For Immediate Release
September 5, 2023
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Water Ways today announced it has hired Tage Flint as the nonprofit’s first Executive Director. Tage Flint brings over 35 years of experience in water resource management to the role, most recently serving as the CEO and General Manager of the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District.
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SALT LAKE CITY (Aug. 14, 2023) – As scorching heat returns to Utah, the state’s reservoirs have become crucial sources, fulfilling the needs of residents, agriculture and municipalities. In these times of reliance on water reserves, fostering a waterwise mindset is imperative to ensure sustainability during the inevitable dry years ahead.
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SALT LAKE CITY (July 13, 2023) – Utah’s water supply continues to benefit from a stellar winter as of the beginning of July. The state has experienced a gradual melt-off, which has helped replenish water reserves.
“Last year, we were facing unfavorable records. Now, we are achieving positive milestones,” Candice Hasenyager, the director of the Division of Water Resources, said, “This year’s exceptional snowpack offers us a unique opportunity to enhance our resilience to drought by continuing to conserve and preserve our water supply.”
According to the latest data from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Utah has currently received 137% of normal precipitation. This is a significant improvement when compared to last year when precipitation was 7% below normal. Soil moisture has been a major driver for how efficient the state’s runoff has been. The record snowpack kept the soil moisture high. Very little runoff soaked into the soil and instead refilled streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
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SALT LAKE CITY (June 29, 2023) – Today, Gov. Spencer Cox is declaring Sunday, July 2, 2023, as a day of prayer and thanksgiving in Utah. He’s asking faith leaders and all Utahns throughout the state to join in offering prayers of thanks after a year of record-breaking snowfall.
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SALT LAKE CITY (May 17, 2023) – The Utah Division of Water Resources has announced the launch of a new online form where residents can submit “Water Wins,” or waterwise actions they’ve noticed in their communities. These water-saving actions could include waterwise landscaping, creative water re-use or major upgrades in commercial water systems.
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