How Utah's snowpack basins fared this year — and what happens next

SALT LAKE CITY — Oliver was the perfect dog, Travis Mundt says.

The 6-year-old chocolate lab was obedient, loyal and energetic. He loved to eat, swim and play at parks. Mundt still gets choked up thinking about Oliver, a year after he disappeared doing what he loved most.

Mundt, then living in Midvale, drove to Tanner Park and Parley's Historic Nature Park by the Salt Lake City-Millcreek border on a mild spring day last May so Oliver could play at one of his favorite parks. But, he admits he didn't think much of the swift Parleys Creek currents as Utah's record snowpack started to melt at the time.

The trip went as planned, at first. Oliver splashed around in one part of the creek and jumped out without any struggle, and the two kept moving into the park. But, at some point, Oliver sprinted ahead of Mundt and slipped out of sight. Shortly after, another park-goer ushered Mundt to the spot where Oliver had jumped into the creek.

Oliver was nowhere to be seen.

"He was swept away (by) the fast-running water," Mundt said, fighting back tears as he held a photo of his dog about 50 feet from Parleys Creek's banks in Sugar House Park on Friday.

Unified firefighters arrived at the scene to search for Oliver, but, to no avail. Despite several searches of the area in the weeks afterward, Oliver has never been found.

"Mother Nature is cruel," Mundt added.

Utah experts say — barring a quick warmup, or late-season snowstorms — flooding may not be much of a concern this year, especially not compared to last year. However, as this season's above-normal snowpack begins to melt, water managers, hydrologists and firefighters say creeks will be colder and faster than normal, making it easy for pets, children and even adults to be carried away.

This risk is now a reality in some streams, creeks and rivers across Utah, and it may continue over the next few months as all the winter snow collected in the mountains melts.

How much snowpack is left to melt?

It appears Utah's snowpack peaked on April 2, when it reached 18.8 inches of snow water equivalent, a measurement of all the water contained in all the snow that fell in the mountains this year. On a more localized level, all but one of Utah's primary snowpack basins ended up with above-average water this year.

Barring a major spring snowstorm, southwestern Utah — which now sits at 90% of the median average — is the lone exception. Yet, its collection remains 137% of normal for this point in the year because some late-season storms have kept its collection above the normal for mid-April.

All of this means there's plenty of water left in the mountains compared to normal, which is good news for Utah's water supply. The state's reservoir system is already close to 85% capacity after it maxed out at 86% last year. It had fallen to 42% by late 2022, after years of drought.

The reservoirs are expected to rise as 95% of Utah's snowpack has yet to melt.

Aside from southeastern Utah being at 76%, every snowpack basin has at least 89% of its peak collection left to melt as of Friday.

"We're looking great from a water supply standpoint," Salt Lake City Public Utilities Deputy Director Jesse Stewart said, referencing these figures.

Flooding and water safety

Yet, there are some public safety concerns with that much snowpack left to melt and less storage to hold all the water.

Water managers are fairly confident, since this year's snowpack is nowhere near last year's record-high, they will be able to harness the water below flood stages this year. The seven-day forecast and long-range outlooks offer hope this year's snowpack will come down in a measured way, much like last year's snowpack ultimately melted.

Scott Baird, director of Salt Lake County's public works and municipal services, said crews will also continue to clear out trees and debris that could lead to flooding as it did last year. It's possible the pond at Sugar House Park could be turned into an emergency reservoir like last year, too, but that depends on how the snow melts.

There are thousands of sandbags filled last year that can be dispersed this spring if needed, Stewart adds.

"Last year really let us test the system, and this year ... we're not concerned," he said. "We'll continue to watch the snowpack, any late storms and weather patterns coming through, but we know the system can handle it."

The bigger concern this year might be above-normal streamflows in some areas.

Federal, state and local hydrologists estimate some streamflow may peak at levels close to normal in Emigration and City creeks this spring and early summer, while above-normal peaks are expected in Big and Little Cottonwood creeks — though, nowhere near last year's estimates.

Peak flows at Parleys Creek, as well as parts of the Jordan River and the Salt Lake City Surplus Canal — where the Jordan River is diverted in southern Salt Lake City — may end up double the average, largely because of controlled releases from full reservoirs. Similar normal and above-normal peaks are possible at other bodies of water across the state in the coming weeks and months.

There isn't an exact streamflow figure to know when a person or animal will be carried away. Salt Lake City hydrologists and firefighters agree it can depend on the size of the body of water and other factors. In general, people should be cautious if it appears a stream or river is flowing faster than normal.

"Any increase in water flow can be dangerous, especially for kids and dogs," Christopher George, a paramedic for the Salt Lake City Fire Department said, pointing to Parleys Creek. "Right now, it's fairly low, but this can sweep a kid or dog away very easily. ... I would say any sharp increase is going to be dangerous to everyone."

The fire department demonstrated a swift water rescue in Salt Lake City on Friday, but Salt Lake City Capt. Brandt Hancuff said this information is applicable to the whole state over the next few months.

He said the department responded to a "number" of water rescue calls last year, and a few dogs were, unfortunately, swept away. A 28-year-old woman was also believed to have been swept away in the Weber River's swift snowmelt currents last year and was never found.

Officials recommend people:

• Closely supervise children and pets around water.
• Keep pets on their leash while walking around running water.
• Use life jackets and put life jackets on children and pets when recreating in water.
• Only cross water at bridges or other established crossings.
• Watch for debris that can obstruct flowing water.

Mundt, who now lives in West Jordan, said he's seen plenty of dogs go into the same area of Parley's Historic Nature Park, where his dog was swept away, since the incident. He's decided to share his story with the hopes others will take snowmelt seriously every spring.

Oliver, Mundt says, was about 80 pounds and a "strong" swimmer, and he was still caught up in swift snowmelt currents.

"I don't think enough people think about it. It's one of those things that goes in one ear and out the other," he said. "I didn't think about it, and I think there are a lot of people in the same boat. ... Owners need to be aware of how fast the water is going."

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