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Drought Conditions Prompt Emergency Measures in Southern Utah

As drought conditions escalate in southern Utah, Governor Spencer Cox is actively pursuing an emergency declaration to address the pressing issues stemming from severe water shortages in the region.

While northern Utah has experienced average snowfall this season, the southern counties are facing alarming dryness. Governor Cox reported that he is collaborating with local leaders to finalize an emergency declaration, which could potentially encompass several counties in the state’s southwestern section, where the snowpack this winter has been notably sparse.

“Generally, the state’s water conditions look positive,” Cox remarked during his monthly news conference on PBS Utah, describing the overall situation as a “pretty normal year for most of the state.” However, he acknowledged the stark disparity: “Southern Utah, particularly in the southwest, is struggling with below-average conditions and has been classified as experiencing elevated drought.” He confirmed that the administration is considering a formal emergency declaration.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reports that Utah’s statewide snow water equivalent—an indicator of snowpack water content—sits at approximately 78% of normal levels. Northern Utah regions are even better off, with Snowbird measuring at 96% and some locales in Big Cottonwood Canyon reaching 115% of normal. However, data from various NRCS monitoring sites indicate that many areas in southern Utah fall below 50%, with some reporting critically low levels of 1% or even 0%. Washington and Iron counties are classified as being in extreme drought, while significant portions of Beaver, Millard, Juab, Tooele, Uintah, Grand, and San Juan counties are categorized under severe drought conditions.

In terms of statewide drought classifications, the remainder of Utah is either experiencing moderate drought or is deemed abnormally dry, with only a small region in northwestern Box Elder County and certain high-elevation areas of Salt Lake, Utah, Morgan, Wasatch, and Summit counties escaping the drought’s impact.

“To respond effectively to the areas afflicted by drought, the Drought Response Committee has been convening more frequently,” stated Candice Hasenyager, director of the Utah Division of Water Resources. “Various state agencies are coordinating efforts to manage the worsening drought conditions, particularly as we move into the summer months.” Hasenyager also advised residents to delay irrigation until necessary, indicating that most of northern Utah can wait until around Mother’s Day or until temperatures stabilize in the mid-70s for several consecutive days.

The current status of the state’s reservoirs reflects the trends observed in snowpack levels—with northern reservoirs faring much better than those in the south. Larger water bodies in northern Utah, including Strawberry, Bear Lake, Jordanelle, Flaming Gorge, Utah Lake, Deer Creek, Starvation, and Pineview reservoirs, are all above 75% capacity, with several nearing full capacity. In contrast, the situation in the southern region is less optimistic, as only five reservoirs—Huntington, Joes Valley, Otter Creek, Quail Creek, and Sand Hollow—exceed 75% capacity, with others like Yuba Reservoir and Panguitch Lake dropping below 50%.

Particularly concerning is Lake Powell, the second-largest reservoir in the country, which controls hydroelectric power managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. As of the latest reports, Lake Powell stands at just about 32% of its capacity. The Utah Rivers Council has noted that Lake Powell is roughly 70 feet above the minimum level required for hydroelectric generation at Glen Canyon Dam, a situation projected to worsen as summer approaches.

Zach Frankel, executive director of the Utah Rivers Council, noted, “Utah is on the verge of having to reduce its allocation of Colorado River water. Other states are speculating about the timeline for this event, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that we are approaching a critical juncture, particularly with the looming shutdown of Glen Canyon hydropower.”

During the recent news conference, Governor Cox expressed ongoing concern about Lake Powell, citing long-term drought and reduced water flows impacting the Colorado River system. “Fortunately, the water feeding into Lake Powell comes from the alpine regions of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, which are maintaining slightly better snowpack conditions,” Cox explained.

To declare a state of emergency related to natural calamities or public health challenges, the governor has the authority to act. Nevertheless, following tensions during the COVID-19 pandemic between former Governor Gary Herbert and the Legislature, new regulations were instated in 2021 limiting emergency declarations to a duration of 30 days. The Legislature holds the ability to extend such declarations through joint resolutions.

Hinting at a potential special session in May, Cox indicated that should he proceed with an emergency declaration, he would collaborate with legislators to possibly prolong it, especially given forecasts suggesting worsened drought conditions leading into the summer. While specifics on the nature of the order remain under wraps, previous executive orders from 2021 and 2022 provided drought-affected areas and agricultural sectors access to vital state and federal resources.

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