Utah has just 10% chance of reaching normal snowpack peak, officials say

Strawberry Reservoir. Photo: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

UTAH — Despite a more active storm cycle that blew through this week, Utah officials report there is only about a 10 percent chance of reaching a normal snowpack peak this winter. To achieve near-normal runoff in the spring, the state would need the active pattern to persist through the beginning of April.

“We appreciate the good storm! Now we need several more!” Joel Williams, director at the Utah Division of Water Resources, said. “We’ll need consistent snowstorms to make up for the snow deficiency we have been experiencing this winter.”

Current reservoir storage averages 67 percent full, which is slightly higher than normal for this time of year, though water managers will most likely rely on reservoir storage from previous years this summer, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources.

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 practice. Indoor water-saving tips are available on the Slow the Flow website.