SALT LAKE CITY (Feb. 18, 2025) – Utah’s snowpack has raised concerns among water managers. The state’s snowpack sits at 93% of normal, with two southern Utah basins recording less than 50% of normal snow water equivalent (SWE). Extreme drought has reappeared in southwestern Utah for the first time since March 2023.
“While we still have some time before our snowpack typically peaks in April, most of our basins are likely to experience below-average streamflows this spring runoff, ” Candice Hasenyager, director of the Division of Water Resources, said.
According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s February Report, Southwestern Utah has been breaking records for minimal SWE since Jan. 20, meaning that this is the worst snowpack observed in the region since at least 1980.
The Colorado Basin River Forecast Center models how much water supply is anticipated based on soil moisture and snowpack. The majority of water supply forecasts fall below 70% of average. In southern Utah, those forecasts are closer to 30% of average.
On average, Utah’s reservoir storage is in good condition at 20% above normal levels for this time of year, providing a crucial buffer against below-normal snowpack.
“Our snowpack in southern Utah is at concerning levels and we are seeing increased drought conditions across the state with 77% in moderate to extreme drought conditions,” Hasenyager said. “With low precipitation and an underperforming snowpack, we must continue using water wisely to maintain our quality of life.”
In Utah, about 95% of our water supply comes from snowpack. Reservoir storage helps us preserve that water for use in dry summer months and drought years. To encourage water conservation among Utahns, the Department of Natural Resources continues to promote initiatives such as the Agricultural Water 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. Many indoor water-saving tips are available on the Slow the Flow website.
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Prior drought and water updates
Media contact: Michael Sanchez, Utah Division of Water Resources
385-226-8967
[email protected]