Utah had its best winter on record during the 2022-2023 ski season, and this summer is also shaping up to be significant for the water year.
The historic winter has continued to benefit the state’s water supply even as temperatures start to rise and precipitation becomes scarce. Utah continues to trend above normal in several areas such as storms, reservoir storage and soil moisture, though water officials maintain continued conservation is needed to sustain the resources that have accumulated.
“Last year, we were facing unfavorable records. Now, we are achieving positive milestones,” Candice Hasenyager, the director of the Utah Division of Water Resources, said in a statement. “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.”
Utah has received 137% of normal precipitation as of July compared to this time last year ,when precipitation was 7% below normal, according to data from the Utah Snow Survey.
The snowpack, which peaked at around 30 inches of snow water equivalent, also helped keep soil moisture high. This allowed spring runoff to make its way to rivers, lakes and reservoirs rather than being sucked up by the ground.
Soil moisture in the mountains was well above normal as of the first of the month. Saturation was around 60%, which is 11% higher than last year.
“This clearly reflects the aftermath of our phenomenal snowpack season in Utah’s mountains,” a Natural Resources Conservation Service water and climate report for the state said.
Precipitation was also up throughout the state, except for southeastern Utah. Rainfall was around 231% of normal in northeast Utah and 138% of normal statewide. The increased storm activity throughout June led to an average of 1.6 inches of water accumulation in the mountains with valley locations receiving less than 1 inch.
This, in turn, has aided statewide reservoir storage, which sits around 86% as of July 13. Reservoirs this time last year were around 59% full, compared to 72% during a typical year. Officials said nearly every major basin’s reservoir supply has been substantially improved by snowmelt runoff with several reservoirs at capacity and several others close to full.
Important Park City area reservoirs such as Rockport as well as Smith and Morehouse have exceeded 100% capacity as of July 1. Echo and Jordanelle reservoirs were at 98% capacity.
Reservoirs reporting above 100% capacity are managed for water demands, flood prevention and long-term storage needs, according to the report. Officials said these increases are temporary and do not represent a permanent increase.
State officials indicated the available reservoir capacity means a robust water supply is ready for agriculture, municipal needs and recreation activities.
However, more water is still required to fill large bodies such as Bear Lake, Lake Powell and the Great Salt Lake. Experts say ongoing efforts must continue to protect the water supply.
“Continued conservation is essential to stretch the water supply,” Hasenyager said. “Precipitation isn’t promised, and we don’t know what next year will bring.”
A moderate drought is impacting around 10% of the state. Around 83% of the state was in an extreme drought, one of the worst categories, this time last year.
Visit drought.utah.gov for more information.