Environment & Outdoors

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.
11 months 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.
12 months 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
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.
2 years 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.
2 years 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.
2 years 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 years 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 years 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.
2 years 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.
2 years ago