Drought

A snowy winter and rainy spring have provided a major boost to states in the grips of drought and helped ease pressure on water managers in the Colorado River basin.

All of last year, the news about the Great Salt Lake was going from bad to worse. We began to hear dire predictions that the shrinking lake might disappear altogether. Then, finally, with some legislative action and a big boost from record snow and rain, the water level began to rise. The Great Salt Lake is our unique treasure. But it’s future is still at risk. Will we keep it or lose it?

Parched is a podcast from Colorado Public Radio about people who rely on the Colorado River, and have ideas to save it. On this episode we hear the first episode from Parched, titled The Last Straw. Then we’ll talk with host Michael Sakas.

An aerial tour of Great Salt Lake shows water flowing from the Bear River and replenishing the lake, providing a much-needed respite to the ecosystem.

Utah’s Department of Natural Resources has repeatedly cautioned that Utah can very easily slip back into more severe drought conditions heading into summer.

If we all wait to water now, there will be more water available later in the growing season when our plants really need it.

The Utah Rivers Council, along with twelve Utah municipalities announced Tuesday the start of this year’s initiative to distribute discounted rain collection barrels across the state.

Despite record snowpack levels across the state, Cache Valley still has room to improve its water management.

The Bureau of Reclamation is responding to a state request and suspending ramped up releases from a major reservoir along the Colorado River.

Sometime in the next few years, the water level in Lake Powell may drop so low that it will be impossible for the lake’s dam to continue producing electricity.