Rockport Reservoir in June 2021. Photo: Weber Basin Water Conservancy District

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. – The Utah Department of Natural Resources released its weekly drought update with unsurprising, albeit concerning news. The extreme drought in which Utah currently finds itself has deepened from 90 percent of the state to 92 percent of the state since the previous week. Additionally, total statewide reservoir storage has decreased from 63 percent capacity last week to 61 percent this week, while 23 of the state’s 42 reservoirs are below 55 percent capacity – an increase of two reservoirs from the previous week.

Brian Steed, the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources says, “With less water in our streams and reservoirs, Utah is currently relying on stored water from past years. As a state and as communities and neighborhoods, we can do our part to conserve water by using less on our lawns and landscapes.” He went on, “Our reservoir levels are lower now than they were last fall when the irrigation season was ending. That’s alarming since our highest water use traditionally happens from July through September.”

If over-watering or wasteful irrigation practices are witnessed, they should be reported to the Utah Department of Water Resources’ water reporting page. The Department will then reach out to the appropriate water companies who will notify the resident or business owner.