LOGAN — Utah’s reservoirs are entering the heart of winter in better shape than many past drought years, but water officials warn that a weak snow season could still spell trouble for northern Utah heading into summer.
According to the Utah Department of Natural Resources, reservoirs statewide are averaging 66% full, above normal for this time of year. That cushion, however, depends heavily on spring snowmelt — and snowpack across the state remains below average after what officials say was Utah’s warmest year on record.
Northern Utah, including Cache, Box Elder and Rich counties, is faring somewhat better than other regions, but still faces uncertainty if dry conditions persist.
In Cache County, Hyrum Reservoir is listed at 37% capacity, while Newton Reservoir sits lower at 27%, both below the statewide average. Porcupine Reservoir stands out as a bright spot at 87% full.
In Rich County, Bear Lake which straddles the Utah-Idaho border and serves as a critical long-term storage reservoir for northern Utah, is reported at 61% capacity. Woodruff Narrows is currently at 67% capacity but Woodruff Creek is only at 19%.
Box Elder County reservoirs show a mixed picture. Mantua Reservoir is at 58%, while Willard Bay is reported at 41%.
Water officials say reservoir storage has helped buffer the state from immediate shortages, even as drought conditions expand. As of late January, 94% of Utah is experiencing some level of drought, compared to just 20% at the same time last year.
“As the old saying goes, ‘In Utah, we are either in drought or preparing for the next one,’” Joel Williams, interim director of the Utah Division of Water Resources, said in the update. “We can all see that our water situation is not looking great.”
The situation is complicated by snowpack conditions that have been difficult to model, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. With much of Utah’s water supply dependent on snowmelt, fewer or warmer storms could limit how much water flows into reservoirs this spring.
State officials continue to encourage conservation efforts, including agricultural efficiency programs and residential water-saving practices, as communities across northern Utah prepare for what could be another challenging summer if snowpack does not improve.
More information on current drought conditions and conservation resources is available at drought.utah.gov.