Utah reservoirs overflow amidst recent heatwave

Lake Powell. Photo: Gavin Van Wagoner

Multiple Utah reservoirs exceed 100%

UTAH — Despite this morning’s chill, Utah’s reservoirs are experiencing high water levels, currently sitting at 93% capacity on average, excluding Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge. The state has faced scorching temperatures in the past few weeks, leading to some reservoirs overflowing. Stateline Reservoir, for example, is currently highest at 117% capacity, with the Utah Division of Natural Resources reporting it is over 21% above its median level for June 18. This dramatic rise is also largely attributed to the solid snowpack Utah experienced earlier this year, significantly boosting water supplies across the state.

The Lake Powell Effect

Lake Powell is the second largest manmade lake in the county, after Lake Mead (also on the Colorado River). When full, it can hold 8.8 trillion gallons of water. As mentioned, Utah reservoirs are at 93% capacity excluding Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge. Including those two reservoirs, that number goes down to around 54%. Flaming Gorge is currently at 85% capacity, while Lake Powell is only at 39%. That illustrates just how massive Lake Powell is compared to the rest of the reservoirs in the state and the significant effect (almost 40%) a low Lake Powell has on the state’s water supply.

Reservoir Levels Across Utah

As of June 18, nearly 80% of Utah reservoirs are between 90% and 100% full. Current reservoirs over 100% capacity are the following:

• Stateline Reservoir, Summit County: 117%
• Steinaker Reservoir, Uintah County: 108%
• Moon Lake Reservoir, Duchesne County: 106%
• Ken’s Lake, San Juan County: 108%
• Smith and Morehouse Reservoir, Summit County: 105%
• Utah Lake, Utah County: 105%
• Joes Valley Reservoir, Emery County: 102%
• Pineview Reservoir, Weber County: 101%
• East Canyon Reservoir, Morgan County: 101%
• Lost Creek, Morgan County: 101%
• Gunlock Reservoir, Washington County: 103%
• Scofield Reservoir, Carbon County: 103%
• Big Sand Wash Reservoir, Duchesne County: 101%
• Woodruff Creek Reservoir, Rich County: 112%

These reservoirs provide critical water supplies for Utah, helping to sustain both agricultural and residential needs during the hot summer months. Check out the Utah Division of Natural Resources website for the latest levels.