Utah reservoirs dip to just over half capacity, governor calls it a modest success

According to the Utah Division of Water Resources, the state’s reservoir network—excluding Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge—reached 52% of its storage capacity on Thursday, a steeper decline than the usual August median of 67%. Last year the system stood at 70%, and the shortfall is tied to a record-low snowpack that normally provides about 95% of Utah’s water supply. Governor Spencer Cox said the 52% level could be viewed as a win, given the stringent water restrictions he has imposed, such as letting grass die on his Sanpete County home and cutting back family farm operations.

Additional releases were required for construction projects, and more than 93% of Utah remains in severe or extreme drought, with only a small part of northwestern Utah in the worst drought category. Soil moisture is currently above normal, and officials hope that a strong El Niño could bring a wetter winter, though warmer storms are also possible. Cox also commented on the Bureau of Reclamation’s post-2026 plan for Lake Powell and Lake Mead, saying all Colorado River states must make sacrifices to keep the system functional.