Latest figures put 98% of Utah at worst levels of drought

Water managers in bone-dry Utah reported this week that 98% of the state was in extreme or exceptional levels of drought.

The state was already 10 inches of precipitation below the "normal" amount expected in a given water year, making it extremely unlikely that the state would reach its usual count of 27 inches during an average water year, according to the Utah Department of Natural Resources.

“Utah’s precipitation is down about 38% this year compared to an average year. It’s extremely unlikely we can make up that deficit between now and the end of the watering year on Sept. 30,” said Brian Stee, executive director of the Utah DNR. “When we consider future patterns, we should not expect an immediate recovery from this extreme drought. We anticipate it will take time, possibly years, to climb out.”

In southwestern Utah, water managers had only measured 41% of the precipitation normally expected by this point in the water year.

Read more: https://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2021/07/10/latest-figures-put-98-utah-worst-levels-drought/7922257002/
(St. George The Spectrum)