Utah snowpack at 81% of normal as winter storm pattern emerges

Photo: by Utah Department of Natural Resources

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Utah’s snowpack is building in a “stair-step” pattern, with storm-driven increases followed by plateaus, according to the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Currently, the statewide snowpack stands at 81% of normal, but hopes remain for near-normal accumulation by spring.

“We’ll be happy if we can see near-normal precipitation across the state,” said Candice Hasenyager, director of the Division of Water Resources under the Utah Department of Natural Resources. “But we are off to a slow start for December.”

Graph of Great Salt Lake elevations from 2007 to December 16, 2024. Current conditions show the South Arm at 4192.3 feet and the North Arm at 4191.6 feet, according to provisional data from the USGS. Source: Utah Division of Water Resources.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s December report, cited by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, shows the Uinta Basin has fared best so far this water year, with snowpack at 164% of normal. Meanwhile, the St. George area remains abnormally dry, receiving just 46% of normal precipitation since the water year began in October.

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According to the Utah Department of Natural Resources, soil moisture, while still below normal, has seen slight improvement. Most regions have climbed out of the critical bottom 10th percentile.

Map of Utah’s soil moisture levels as of December 15, 2024, showing the percentage of median soil moisture across various basins. Areas range from above 150% of the median (dark blue) to below 50% (orange), with specific basin values highlighted. Source: NRCS.

Reservoirs remain in good condition across Utah, with many above normal levels for this time of year. Statewide, reservoirs are 75% full, a slight drop from this time last year but still well above the drought-driven lows recorded in 2021 and 2022.

“Reservoirs have been crucial in buffering us from recent droughts,” Hasenyager said. “Promising storage levels now reflect favorable water years and ongoing conservation efforts, which are key to ensuring water security amid climate uncertainties.”

Map of Utah reservoir fill percentages as of December 16, 2024. The statewide average reservoir storage is 75%, with notable variations across the state. Reservoirs like Deer Creek and Starvation are at 95% and 87% capacity, respectively, while Gunnison is significantly low at 13%. State average calculations exclude Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge for accurate representation. Source: Utah Division of Water Resources.

Approximately 95% of Utah’s water supply comes from snowpack, which peaks in April and feeds the state’s reservoirs. The Utah Department of Natural Resources continues to encourage conservation efforts, including the Agricultural Water Optimization Program for farmers and public initiatives such as SlowTheFlow.org, which educates residents on water-saving practices.

“Promoting conservation now ensures Utahns are better prepared for future conditions and more resilient during drought years,” Hasenyager said.

For additional resources from the Utah Department of Natural Resources, including indoor water-saving tips, visit SlowtheFlow.org.