ST. GEORGE — Washington County and the state of Utah overall have seen reservoirs replenished and the drought levels decreased thanks to the record snowpack received over the winter.
However, even though the water situation looks great now, water managers stress the drought is likely far from over and conservation efforts must continue.
“Last year, we were facing unfavorable records. Now, we are achieving positive milestones,” Candice Hasenyager, the director of the Division of Water Resources, said in a press release. “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. Last year’s precipitation levels were at 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.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, as of Thursday, 65% of Utah wasn’t experiencing any form of drought, while 34% and nearly 10% of the state are considered to be abnormally dry or in a state of moderate drought respectively. Last year nearly 100% of Utah was experiencing severe drought conditions, with 83% of the state at extreme drought levels on top of that.
While water managers, like Zach Renstrom, the general manager of the Washington County Water Conservancy District, laud the state’s current water status, they are also quick to remind the public of the need to continue conservation practices.
“One good year isn’t going to solve years and years of drought,” Renstrom sad. “There’s still going to be a very, very strong message to conserve.”
In a continuing effort to drive conservation and preserve and extend the county’s water supply, the water district is continually engaged in large and small water projects. This includes the creation of a regional water-use system, the building of new reservoirs and the search for new water sources.
“We’re starting to pull everything off the shelf and look at it again,” Renstrom said, noting that some projects currently underway were once considered cost prohibitive and are now being given more consideration. An example of this is the regional water reuse system that was once seen as too costly an endeavor to undertake.
Though much attention has been given toward water conservation policy and practice in the county, the Lake Powell Pipeline hasn’t gone away.
“We desperately need big water projects, especially to secure water for the long term,” Renstrom said. “But there’s always been a focus on how we can be the best stewards of our local water.”
The proposed pipeline, which would stretch from Lake Powell to Sand Hollow Reservoir, is estimated to run up to $2 billion (pre-inflation dollars) to build and is heavily opposed by environmental advocacy groups. While the project may appear to be on pause due to neighboring states asking the federal government to give it a second look, it remains on the water district’s long-range plans.
As for the reservoirs that help keep the state “above water” as it were, statewide reservoir storage is at 86%. Last year at this time our reservoirs were 59% full. For context, 72% is normal for this time of the year.
Water management practices, coupled with a record-breaking snowpack, have contributed to the healthy storage levels in our reservoirs. This robust water supply ensures reliable water availability for various sectors, including agriculture, municipal needs and recreational activities.
Accordingly to the water’s district’s website, overall reservoir stage is Washington County is at 85.8%.
Both Gunlock and Kolob reservoirs are just over 100% full, with Sand Hallow at 87% and Quail Creek at 78%.
Upper Enterprise is at 85% with Lower Enterprise is at 62%. The water district does not manage these reservoirs.
As for Lake Powell, water levels have risen 45 feet from last year.
Great Salt Lake levels have peaked for the year at an elevation of 4,194 feet (on June 19 and 20). Roughly 5.5 feet above the record low set last November. The lake’s salinity has returned to favorable levels. As inflows to the lake decrease and temperatures increase, the lake will experience a decline until around October, when cooler temperatures and precipitation increases.
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