Environment & Outdoors

American avocets search for food on a sand bar at the Great Salt Lake, near Magna on September 24, ...
Adam Small

What’s on tap for Great Salt Lake in the 2025 Utah General Legislative Session

The 2025 General Legislative kicks off next week and Great Salt Lake will be a topic once again.
4 days ago
A sailboat is seen at the Great Salt Lake State Park in Magna on Saturday, June 15, 2024....
Carter Williams, KSL.com and Adam Small, KSL NewsRadio

Great Salt Lake makes new gains to start new year. What does it need in 2025?

The waters of Great Salt Lake are rising to begin the new year, and experts hope that run will continue after recent storm activity within its basin.
15 days ago
Cars drive on I-80 with a snowy mountain backdrop after snowstorms hit the Wasatch Front throughout...
Allessandra Harris Gurr

Mountain snow crucial to keep Utah out of drought, NWS says

Last weekend's storms brought plenty of rain and snow. Meteorologists say mountain snow is crucial when it comes to preventing a drought.
19 days ago
Water flows into the City Creek water treatment plant as construction continues in Salt Lake City o...
Mariah Maynes and Adam Small

Utah water study recommends pricing changes

A Utah water use study recommended changes to tiered pricing, but alterations aren't guaranteed.
2 months ago
A man windsurfs at Deer Creek Reservoir in Wasatch County on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. In mid-November...
Adam Small

Most Utah reservoirs are near or exceed average water levels

As winter begins, most Utah reservoirs are 73% full according to the Utah Division of Water Resources.
2 months ago
Drought status: virgin river shown, harmful algae has been found in the lower part of the river in ...
Adam Small

Part of Utah reaches severe drought, but change is coming

According to recent data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, parts of Utah has reached a severe drought status.
3 months ago
A powerful string of thunderstorms moved north across northern Utah. Thunderstorms left behind an i...
Britt Johnson

Recent Utah rain sends the state closer to average water levels

Utah's recent summer rain brought the state's water levels up. Now, the state is extremely close to average water levels.
5 months ago
A sprinkler waters a field in Utah...
LINDSAY AERTS, KSLTV

Utah DNR now tracks groundwater trends online, some concern over depleting levels

A new online tool is helping gather data on Utah’s groundwater levels, after depleting groundwater levels in southern and southwestern Utah.
5 months ago
water conservation...
Ben Winslow, FOX 13

One Utah city will offer prizes to get people to conserve more water

The city of Millcreek hopes to encourage its residents to conserve water with a new game that offers prizes.
5 months ago
Swimmers cool off in the pool at the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center in Cottonwood Heights on ...
Britt Johnson

Getting a backyard pool? Make sure your builder has experience

Planning on having a pool built in your backyard? It might be a good idea to double check that your builder is experienced.
6 months ago
cattle graze on land in tooele county, parts of tooele county are in drought...
Verl Johansen

Drought returns to Utah in Tooele County

The U.S. Drought Monitor's most recent report found that about half of Tooele County is experiencing moderate drought.
6 months ago
East/west traffic on 4700 South at Bangerter Highway...
Adam Small

How Utah construction workers are battling triple digit heat

Construction crews are having to deal with intense heat in Utah state this summer by taking breaks and communicating with one another.
6 months ago
Shrinking Great Salt Lake...
Ben Winslow, FOX 13

Lake-effect drought? New study shows a shrinking Great Salt Lake may exacerbate Utah’s drought conditions

A new study shows the impact of the shrinking Great Salt Lake could be exacerbating drought conditions.
6 months ago
Colorado River Basin...
Adam Small

Utah, other Colorado River Basin states want to ensure conserved water gets to Lake Powell

Water managers from Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico recently adopted a resolution to begin work to create a program that tracks conserved water.
6 months ago
Great Salt Lake...
Adam Small

Great Salt Lake and Lake Powell reach multi-year highs, but one is already losing water

Great Salt Lake and Lake Powell have seen increased their water levels however, Great Salt Lake has started to recede.
7 months ago
A view of the state Capitol and the Salt Lake City skyline. Ozone pollution and smoke from the wild...
Kennedy Camarena

Parts of Utah under excessive heat warning

Utah has been given two different kinds of heat advisories for parts of the state by the National Weather Service on Sunday.
7 months ago
The KSL Greenhouse show talked about plants that grow well in Utah's heat this weakened....
Taun Beddes, KSL Greenhouse show

KSL Greenhouse: Plants that bloom in Utah’s heat

Most people shop for their Utah garden flowers in the spring, which might not bloom well in summer. So, what flowers bloom in the summer?
7 months ago
lake powell shown, invasive fish causing issues...
Adam Small

Lake Powell missing 40,000 acre feet of water after accidental release, officials say

Lake Powell is the nation's second-largest reservoir, and it's currently missing up to 40,000-acre feet of water due to a water release.
7 months ago
A view of the state Capitol and the Salt Lake City skyline. Ozone pollution and smoke from the wild...
Andrew Gordon

High temps bring warnings and ozone problems to Utah

Utah's high temperatures have brought on the hottest day of the year so far in the state, along with warnings and ozone issues.
7 months ago
FILE: Quail Creek Reservoir. The man who drowned after falling off a paddle board at the reservoir ...
Michael Camit

Washington County is one step closer to a major water reuse project

A water reuse project in Washington County is a step closer to reality. The 20-year project will get some funding from federal grants.
7 months ago
Deer Creek Reservoir is pictured at Deer Creek State Park in Wallsburg on May 10. Utah's reservoir ...
Carter Williams, KSL.com

Utah’s reservoirs at highest levels in 13 years as last of snowpack melts

Utah's reservoir system has officially reached its highest point in 13 years as the state reaches the tail end of its spring snowmelt season.
7 months ago
Students at Weber State University work to xeriscape areas on campus. This is part of a goal to red...
Heather Peterson

Weber State University conserving water through xeriscaping

Weber State is making changes to conserve water, by implementing a "water action plan." They want to reduce water use by 30%.
8 months ago
sprinkler...
Mitchell von Puttkammer

Water conservation in your Utah garden

Water conservation in a Utah garden can include installing smart sprinkler systems. And the state can help defray the cost!
8 months ago
FILE: The Colorado River is pictured near Moab in Grand County on Friday, April, 26, 2024....
Adam Small

New study suggests climate change could help Colorado River

University of Colorado at Boulder researchers predict that climate change will increase precipitation in Upper Basin states like Utah.
8 months ago