SALT LAKE CITY — A predicted "massive winter storm" will add to Utah’s snowpack, which is already above the April peak, but it will take several years of above-average snowpack for water bodies like the Great Salt Lake and Lake Powell to fill, according to the Utah Department of Natural Resources.
“This is our opportunity year,” said Division of Water Resources Director Candice Hasenyager.
The latest report shows that only 4% of Utah is experiencing extreme drought. It's a considerable improvement compared to last year when 34% of the state was experiencing extreme drought.
Because of this year's considerable snowfall, the Great Salt Lake has risen 18 inches since its historic low in November, 2022, already eclipsing the one foot it rose in all of last year.
Governor Cox also issued an executive order to raise the Great Salt Lake causeway berm from 4,187 feet to 4,192 feet to take advantage of the above normal snowpack this year and capture as much water from the spring runoff as possible.
Though this year's snowpack is good news for the state, twenty-four of the 47 reservoirs the DNR monitors are below 55%, which is about the same as last year but still about 10% lower than normal for this time of year.
Soil moisture is 55%, which is about 7% above normal levels for this time of year. Experts explain that higher soil moisture will help spring runoff get to reservoirs.
It may not feel like temperatures are warmer this year when compared to last year, but the latest report shows temperatures have been nearly three degrees warmer than average for the last two weeks.
Although the temperatures have been slightly warmer than average, the weather hasn't affected the mountain snow that heavily contributes to the snowpack.
While none of Utah's 71 streams is flowing at a record low, 18 are currently flowing below normal. Experts credit above-average precipitation to flowing rivers.
