UTAH'S DROUGHT

Dense, wet snow making a dent in Utah’s drought

Jan 5, 2023, 5:00 PM | Updated: 6:58 pm

SALT LAKE CITYThe storms that keep dumping wet snow on Utah are exactly what we need to recover from extended drought, and there’s another one moving in. There’s also improvement on the drought monitor map. 

The snowpack was doing well before Christmas, and it’s grown even more over the last couple of weeks.

The heavy, wet snow that is so difficult to shovel is great for drought recovery.

“Right now, we’re in good shape,” said Laura Haskell, drought coordinator for the Utah Division of Water Resources. “If we can just keep this coming; we just need the consistent storms.”

Utah currently has 168% of average snow water equivalent in the snowpack statewide. Utah’s mountains have received 10 inches of water since Oct. 1, with an average peak of nearly 16 inches snow water equivalent around April 1. But to replenish our reservoirs, we need more than average snow water equivalency over the next three months. 

Haskell said the density of the snow in recent storms makes a difference.

“Usually, it takes about 10 inches of snow to get an inch of water, and these last storms, we’ve had about an inch of water in about five inches of snow,” Haskell said. “So that’s great. If you’re shoveling it, it’s really heavy and not so good. But for the water, it’s great.”

That’s twice the typical amount of water in the snow in storms that began right after Christmas.

The drought monitor map just released Thursday shows nearly the entire state still affected by severe drought, but not as bad as it has been. 

“We’re still in the severe drought. The drought hasn’t gone away,” Haskell said. “But it has gotten just a little bit better where we’re not in that extreme condition as much.”

Areas of extreme and exceptional drought are smaller than they were six months ago.

“We are seeing a lot of improvement in our snowpack, which is good. We’re hoping that we don’t follow what we did last year,” the drought coordinator said. “We got pretty optimistic, and then we just didn’t have any storms for five weeks or so.“

That dry period in January and February depleted Utah’s snowpack last year, and it never recovered.

“It was five, almost six weeks to have just nothing added to the snowpack.”

Great news three months into the water year as long as the storms keep coming. 

KSL 5 TV Live

Utah's Drought

The Glen Canyon Dam holds back the waters of Lake Powell in Page, Arizona, on July 18, 2022. Lake P...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Here’s how much Lake Powell is expected to rise this year

Lake Powell is expected to receive a decent bump in the coming months, but experts say it still has a "long way to go" after years of drought.

8 days ago

Jordanelle Reservoir. 12/19/2033 (Michael Jefferson)...

Eliza Pace

Utah’s water conditions, including snowpack, look ‘optimistic,’ experts say

Storms from January have increased snowpack levels and Utah's water supply shows signs of "resilience and abundance."

1 month ago

Utah Lake water release...

Alex Cabrero

Utah Lake release sends 300 million gallons of water a day into the Great Salt Lake

The Utah Lake control gates in Saratoga Springs opened Thursday morning to release water into the Great Salt Lake.

2 months ago

The snow northern Utah finally got the past few weeks put us in a comfortable spot, according to th...

Alex Cabrero

Snowpack totals are in a ‘comfortable spot’ for northern Utah

Northern Utah's snowpack is in a good spot, but state water officials are worried about southern part of the state.

2 months ago

Brock Peery and his daughter Berkley, 6, walk back to their car during a snowstorm in Salt Lake Cit...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Utah research may change everything we know about snowfall

A new study led by University of Utah researchers offers new insight into how and why snowflakes fall the way they do.

3 months ago

During a possible drought in Southwest Utah, Washington County Water Conservatory said its infrastr...

Alex Cabrero

Washington County: Infrastructure will remedy possible drought in southwest Utah

During a possible drought in southwest Utah, Washington County Water Conservatory said its infrastructure ensures drinking water is safe, but conservation should still always be part of life in the desert.

3 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Dense, wet snow making a dent in Utah’s drought