Average Utah reservoir level 30% higher than last year
May 8, 2024, 2:00 PM | Updated: 4:40 pm
Deer Creek Reservoir in Wasatch County is pictured on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (Steve Griffin/Deseret News)
(Steve Griffin/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE— The average reservoir level across the state is 30% higher than it was this time last year, sitting at around 88% capacity.
Last May, the average levels were around 50%, not including totals from Lake Powell or Flaming Gorge.
“A lot of what did add to this big influx of water in our reservoirs was last year’s record-breaking snowpack,” said Michael Sanchez, public information officer for the Utah Division of Water Resources.
In addition to this season’s above-average snowpack, snowmelt from last year helped boost some reservoirs — both north and south — above 100% capacity.
The last time average reservoir levels were this high was June 2020.
Preventing reservoir overflow
As mountain snow starts to melt, Sanchez said now is the time to monitor each reservoir to ensure they do not overflow.
“Right now is that balancing act where water managers are really keeping an eye on how high their reservoir is and what that snowpack is doing [and] when it’s going to come down,” he said.
The reservoir levels will likely begin to drop once snow starts to melt and water managers release water to make room. Average reservoir levels generally hit their lows around November.
Continue to conserve
Despite this year’s high water levels, Sanchez encourages Utahns to continue their water conservation efforts and take advantage of water-saving rebates.
“Our situation is amazing right now, but we just need to keep an eye on the future,” said Sanchez. “You never know when that next dry year is going to happen.”
