Utah Drought

farmers drought The dried Antelope Island marina at the Great Salt Lake is pictured....
Chris Jacobs

Utah representative proposes pumping underground water to replenish Great Salt Lake

Rep. Steven Lund's proposal to replenish the Great Salt Lake would require $48 million worth of wells to be dug to see if there is underground water.
1 year ago
Sprinkler is shown watering lawn...
Adam Small

Its time to turn off the sprinklers and stop watering your lawn

Experts say to stop watering your lawn, but recommend using this time of year to fertilize your grass and clean your irrigation system.
1 year ago
Phill Kiddoo, air pollution control officer for the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control Distr...
AMY JOI O’DONOGHUE, DESERET NEWS

Why isn’t the state monitoring Great Salt Lake’s dust?

Bryce Bird, director of the Utah Division of Air Quality, said more proactive measures might be on the table in the future, but the menu has not yet been set for the Great Salt Lake.
1 year ago
South Jordan's water purification system is pictured. (South Jordan City)...
Andrew Gordon

South Jordan taking steps to bring more drinking water to community

Though the water purified at the South Jordan purification facility is drinkable, it will not be distributed to the public at this time.
1 year ago
Phill Kiddoo, air pollution control officer for the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control Distr...
Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune

What Utah can learn from the monumental effort to reduce dust at Owens Lake

Just a few states away, however, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has spent decades figuring out how to get a handle on its own dangerous sand and salt storms blowing from Owens Lake.
1 year ago
One of Mono Lake’s iconic tufa formations is pictured on the south shore of the lake in Mono Coun...
Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune

The public trust doctrine prevented Mono Lake from drying up. Could it be used to save the Great Salt Lake?

Utah lawmakers have eliminated the legal barriers to these options in recent years, and even set aside a $40 million nest egg this year specifically for the Great Salt Lake that could be tapped for things like leases.
1 year ago
Owens Lakebed...
Amy Joi O’Donoghue, Deseret News and Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune

A dusty tale in California and words of wisdom for Utah as the Great Salt Lake shrinks

Today, California’s Owens Lake holds a hopeful message for Utah and the millions of people living just a few miles from their own terminal lake’s drying shores. It shows the inevitable air quality problem can be solved.
1 year ago
Water meter cover is shown, secondary water metering will take effect in 2030...
Anna Johnson

Secondary water metering proving to be useful for conservation

Secondary water metering is proving to be a useful tool for water conservation for the Weber Basin Water Conservatory District.
1 year ago
Sunrise over Owens Lake...
Amy Joi O’Donoghue, Deseret News

The saline lakes of the Great Basin and why they are in trouble

These saline lakes in the Great Basin are terminal, meaning they are fed by rivers and are a hydrologic end point. When the rivers start to dry up or are diverted, the lakes’ levels of salinity increase.
1 year ago
Measure Great Salt Lake...
Ben Winslow, Fox 13 News

Great Salt Lake so low, a water level measurement system no longer works

The Great Salt Lake has dropped to such a low level, the U.S. Geological Survey's measuring system at the marina no longer works.
1 year ago
Utah lawmakers and elected officials recently took a trip to Isreal to see how the country effectiv...
Aimee Cobabe

Utah drought update: how did we fare this summer?

The latest drought update for Utah shows low water levels. This is in spite of the state's efforts to conserve water over the summer.
1 year ago
Colorado river is pictured, its water supplies Utah but it is running out...
Adam Small

Utah leaders ask businesses to contribute to water conservation amid Colorado River shortage

The Colorado River supplies water to Utah, but due to its shortage businesses are being asked to do their part for water conservation.
2 years ago
Sprinkler watering lawn pictured, ogden water system will get an update...
Chris Jacobs

Water levels indicate that Utah’s water conservation efforts are working

The Division of Water Resources reported that drought conditions are lower than last year and water conservation has maintained consistent water levels.
2 years ago
Sprinkler is shown watering lawn...
Kate Davis

Salt Lake saved almost 3 billion gallons of water this season

Lower Salt Lake water usage led the county to save billions of gallons of water in the face of Utah's ongoing drought.
2 years ago
Dry lakebed...
Rachel Ramirez, CNN

The upstream water used to keep Lake Powell afloat is running out

The dam is a key source of energy in the region, generating power for as many as 5.8 million homes and businesses in seven states, and is at high risk of being forced offline should the lake's level drop below 3,490 feet above sea level.
2 years ago
With Lake Powell's water levels increasing all year, it's hard to believe that they may be in dange...
Lindsay Aerts

A pipeline from Lake Powell to Washington County is taking shape

Utah is moving forward with the Lake Powell Pipeline, but opponents say it's too costly and that Utah doesn't have the right to divert the water.
2 years ago
people walk in downtown salt lake as the sun shines down, temperature in utah may set records again...
Becky Bruce

It’s not just hot – this September heat wave is impacting high altitude locations as well

Traveling to high altitude does not afford much relief from the heat wave in northern Utah this week, with blame falling on the high-pressure system above.
2 years ago
The Great Salt Lake has reached a historic low level of water....
Alejandro Lucero

Utah youth to hold funeral style demonstration for Great Salt Lake

A funeral style demonstration will be held by Utah Youth Environmental Solutions Network on Sept. 3. It will begin at 11 a.m.
2 years ago
Gov. Spencer Cox is pictured....
Adam Small

Gov. Cox feels optimistic about the future of The Great Salt Lake, air quality and job growth

Gov. Spencer Cox spoke on numerous issues at Utah State University on Thursday, stating he was optimistic about the issues facing Utah.
2 years ago
utah had its hottest summer this year....
Amie Shaeffer and Simone Seikaly

Utah sets heat record for hottest summer

Three factors are contributing to Utah's record-breaking heat: climate change, soil moisture, and low levels of the Great Salt Lake.
2 years ago
Great Salt Lake State Park and Marina...
Jessica Lowell

Boat ramp at Great Salt Lake State Park closed due to low water levels

The Great Salt Lake State Park has closed its boat ramp due to low water levels. Visitors to the park can still launch their boats, but will do so at their own risk, according to the Utah Division of State Parks.
2 years ago
Great Salt Lake bill...
Lindsay Aerts

Cloud seeding: a potential save for the Great Salt Lake

The Great Salt Lake has seen record low levels due to severe drought. Cloudseeding could help.
2 years ago
Sen. Mitt Romney...
Becky Bruce

After tour of Great Salt Lake, Sen. Romney says feds are here to help

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney took a tour of the Great Salt Lake Friday to look over the situation and how the lake can be saved.
2 years ago
farmers drought The dried Antelope Island marina at the Great Salt Lake is pictured....
Allie Litzinger and Dan Bammes

Farmers confront grim choices in midst of severe drought

A survey shows many farmers are being forced to leave fields uncultivated, destroy orchards and sell cattle herds due to severe drought.
2 years ago