Environment & Outdoors

Clinton Whitten and hydrologist Maureen Gutsch, back, measure snow, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Krem...
Associated Press

Record low Colorado mountain snow won’t bode well for water in the drought-stricken US West

Colorado hydrologists told The Associated Press of the dismal, record-low snowpack after concluding their field assessments late Tuesday.
5 months ago
Utah is testing a snow storage technique at Soldier Hollow ahead of 2034 Games....
Alex Cabrero, KSL

Utah testing snow storage technique at Soldier Hollow ahead of 2034 Games

Utah Olympic and Paralympic organizers are testing a new way to preserve snow at Soldier Hollow, hoping the snow storage could provide a backup plan for the 2034 Winter Olympic Games if warmer conditions become a concern.
5 months ago
Snow is seen in the area of Park City Mountain Resort’s Town Lift in Park City on Friday, Jan. 2,...
Jacob Freeman

Utah’s snowpack hits record low average

Utah's snowpack, measured on Jan. 31, was the lowest ever recorded on that date, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
7 months ago
dry dry dry...
Tammy Kikuchi

Dry, dry, dry as Utah looks at breaking snowfall season record

While the winter season is far from over, the snowfall outlook remains grim as Utah remains dry, dry, dry.
7 months ago
The Colorado River is visible flowing through the Grand Canyon as seen from the south rim of Grand ...
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News

New report outlines the crisis on the Colorado River and the ongoing threats

Called “Colorado River Insights 2025: Dancing with Deadpool,” the report details a dire assessment of the basin’s worsening crisis and offers options for reform.
8 months ago
New research from Utah State University tracked movements of mule deer during drought and found tha...
Logan Stefanich, KSL.com

New research shows drought conditions drive deer populations to croplands, urban environments

New USU research tracked movements of mule deer during drought and found that when water content in plants drops, deer will abandon their natural habitat for irrigated croplands.
9 months ago
A reservoir in Utah is pictured. Water is flowing out of Utah’s reservoirs at more than double th...
DANIEL WOODRUFF

Utahns urged to use less water amid ‘drastic decline’ at reservoirs

Water is flowing out of Utah’s reservoirs at more than double the typical rate, officials announced Thursday.
1 year ago
Conan Williams, 3, of Salt Lake City, plays on the splash pad at Millcreek Common on Sunday, June 1...
Tammy Kikuchi

Rain is reportedly on Utah’s horizon, and just in time

The recent 46-day period without rain in Utah is among the top 25 of all-time driest streaks on record.
1 year ago
dry spell worsens drought and fire danger...
Adam Small

Utah dry spell worsens drought, fuels fire danger

Officials from the National Weather Service said drought conditions could worsen, fueling concern over the effectiveness of next year's snowpack.
1 year ago
landscaping and irrigation...
Bryanna Willis

As water worries grow, experts urge smart irrigation and landscaping

According to water experts, smarter irrigation and landscaping benefits conservation, but you don't have to ditch your lawn.
1 year ago
A boater cruises at Yuba State Park on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Yuba Lake is one of the reservoirs i...
Adam Small

Utahns may soon face watering restrictions, water managers say

Reservoir water levels have fallen below 40% capacity in central and southern Utah.
1 year ago
Deer Creek Reservoir in Wasatch County on Sept. 9, 2024. Utah water managers said Thursday that wat...
Carter Williams

Utah seeing water trend that typically occurs later in the summer

Utah is already seeing water trends that are typically associated with late summer.
1 year ago
Great Salt Lake, Utah drought...
Adam Small

Over 90% of Utah in drought status, conditions likely to worsen

Drought is impacting over 90% of Utah. The state only had one day with measurable rain in June.
1 year ago
Bryce Canyon rock formations Hoodoo...
Adam Small

Southern Utah drought conditions see improvement, for now

Drought conditions in the state have benefited slightly from recent storms in southern Utah.
1 year ago
water managers slc...
Carter Williams, KSL.com

Wasatch Front water managers concerned by new usage trends

State water managers are urging conservation as Salt Lake County is already seeing an increase in water consumption this season.
1 year ago
Deer graze at Salamander Flat in American Fork Canyon northeast of American Fork on Tuesday, Oct. 1...
Allessandra Harris Gurr

How a hot, dry summer could alter Utah’s wildlife behaviors

A hot and dry summer this year could change the behavior of some of Utah’s biggest animals.
1 year ago
Deer Creek Reservoir in Wasatch County on Sept. 9, 2024. Utah water managers said Thursday that wat...
Carter Williams, KSL.com

Why water conservation remains a ‘top priority’ in Utah after Cox’s drought order expires

Gov. Spencer Cox's emergency drought declaration has now expired, but state water managers say water conservation should "remain a top priority" as the state's typically driest season approaches.
1 year ago
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was among the speakers at the 2025 Fire Sense kickoff, where state and federa...
Heather Peterson

Officials warn Utahns to have ‘fire sense’ ahead of upcoming wildfire season

One of the messages from state and federal officials urged Utahns not to become wildfire complacent.
1 year ago
utah farmers groundwork...
Verl Johansen

Utah Department of Agriculture offers new loan program to help farmers fight drought conditions

Utah farmers facing drought conditions can get help from a low-interest loan program from the state.
1 year ago
The Great Salt Lake is pictured by the north end of Stansbury Island in Tooele County on Thursday, ...
Tony Semerad, Salt Lake Tribune via Great Salt Lake Collaborative

How a collapsing Great Salt Lake could take Utah’s economy — and maybe your employer — down with it

On top of environmental dangers, a new University of Utah study warns, a dried Great Salt Lake bed and toxic dust storms could bring huge business losses to the Wasatch Front.
1 year ago
Partial snowmelt is seen atop City Creek Canyon in Salt Lake City on April 12. A report published W...
Carter Williams, KSL.com

Feds adjust Utah’s water outlook after warm, dry April affects spring snowmelt

April didn't provide Utah with many favors after an already complicated snowpack collection season.
1 year ago
Fire season...
Alexandrea Bonilla

Southern Utah could see more wildfires this year

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows portions of southwest Utah are already in extreme drought, heightening wildfire risk.
1 year ago
utah's snowpack big cottonwood canyon...
Adam Small

Utah’s snowpack melting faster than normal

Utah's snowpack is melting off a lot faster than normal. Forecasters say it could have a big impact on our water supply and the possibility of drought. 
1 year ago
FILE: Cottonwood Heights police officers check a tire at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon on Frid...
Simone Seikaly

Drought conditions prompt state of emergency in Utah

Drought is especially concerning in portions of southwest Utah, where 4% of the state is in "extreme drought."
1 year ago