ST. GEORGE — Thanks to the lingering impacts of record snowpack earlier this year, water levels rose at Lake Powell and other reservoirs across Utah.
Lake Powell is nearly 43 feet above where it was a year ago and peaked in early July. Since then, it has gradually declined by 9 feet from an elevation of 3,584 feet to 3,575 feet as of Monday. The rise in the water level has proven to be an economic boon to the local economy, according to ABC15 Arizona.
Despite the rise in water levels, the reservoir remains at 36% of its overall capacity and may take several years to refill following a general decline caused by a regional drought that has gripped the West for over two decades.
Closer to home, the majority of reservoirs in Southern Utah are above 80% capacity.
However, a decline in reservoir levels is to be expected during the summer as the water collected is gradually drawn out for use, said Karry Rathje, a spokeswoman for the Washington County Water Conservancy District.
Reservoirs are designed to fill up in the spring from melting snowpack and then go down during the summer as water is used for drinking, outdoor watering and other needs. This leaves reservoirs at a reduced capacity moving into the fall and winter until the cycle starts over.
Utah received nearly 140% of normal precipitation with a record snowpack not seen since the early 1980s. This has left Washington County’s reservoirs in a “very good position going into the winter,” Rathje said.
As of Tuesday, Gunlock Reservoir is at 90%, with Sand Hollow at 93%, Quail Creek at 72% and Kolob at 100%. The Upper Enterprise Reservoir is at 82% while the Lower Enterprise Reservoir sits at 31%.
Statewide reservoir storage is at 81% compared to the 50% it was this time last year. For context, the normal storage level for this period is around 64%, according to the Utah Department of Natural Resources.
“Taking care of our water resources is vital, and this year’s remarkable achievements highlight the importance of effective water management practices after this year’s record-breaking winter,” Candice Hasenyager, the director of the Division of Water Resources, said in a press release. “By embracing sustainable measures and remaining vigilant, we can continue to secure a resilient water supply.”
While water drawn out for municipal and agricultural use can lower reservoir water levels, the summer heat can impact reservoirs in several ways:
- Increased evaporation – During heat waves, temperatures are higher than usual, leading to increased evaporation from reservoir surfaces. This can cause water levels to decrease more rapidly, reducing the available water supply.
- Reduced inflows – Heat waves can exacerbate drought conditions, resulting in reduced inflows from rivers and streams into reservoirs. Lower inflows contribute to declining water levels and decrease the overall capacity of the reservoirs.
- Elevated water temperatures – Hot weather can raise the temperature of the water in the reservoirs. Higher water temperatures can negatively affect aquatic ecosystems, leading to fish kills and the growth of harmful algae. For a current breakdown of the harmful algal bloom situation, visit habs.utah.gov.
- Increased water demand – Heat waves can often lead to increased water demand for irrigation, landscaping and recreational purposes. This additional demand can further strain reservoirs.
- Increased risk of wildfires – Heat waves can create dry conditions, increasing the risk of wildfires. Wildfires near reservoirs can result in ash and sediment runoff, affecting water quality and reducing storage capacity.
To encourage water conservation among residents, the Department of Natural Resources continues to promote initiatives such as the Agricultural Optimization Program for farmers and SlowtheFlow.org for residents.
These programs aim to educate and incentivize water-saving practices, ensuring Utahns become more drought-resilient and prepare for future conditions.
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