SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is now entirely in moderate to severe drought, with state officials urging increased water conservation as reservoir levels drop sharply.
Between June 1 and July 1, reservoir storage across the state fell by 10%, a five-fold increase compared to the typical 2 percent drop for that period. Candice Hasenyager, director of the Utah Division of Water Resources, attributed this to increased demand and an inefficient spring runoff.
Current water levels in northern Utah show some reservoirs are better than others. Bear Lake is currently at 70.2 percent capacity. Other reservoirs are even worse. Hyrum Reservoir is at 57.37 percent capacity and Newton Reservoir is at 46.45 percent.
Hasenyager advised residents to check with local water providers for specific restrictions, as many cities now ban outdoor watering during certain hours. While the Great Salt Lake saw a modest 1.5-foot rise, it’s expected to decline until fall.
Statewide reservoir levels are currently at 75 percent, 14 percent lower than last year, but still slightly above normal for this time. Hasenyager stressed that reservoirs are crucial for droughts, flood protection, and wildlife, not just recreation. The state continues to promote conservation efforts like the Agricultural Water Optimization Program and SlowtheFlow.org, encouraging Utahns to become more drought-resilient.