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Jed Boal Reporting Phenomenal March storms washed away any lingering concerns about drought for most of Utah, but water managers will have other concerns this spring. Reservoirs across the state will fill, but it may be too much of a good thing in a few northern communities.
Utah's water outlook in the coming months looks more like last year than those difficult years of drought. It's good news for water managers who received a detailed briefing today from hydrologists.
Randy Julander/U.S. Conservation Service Hydrologist: "Just a barnburner of a snowpack, and in some cases, I hate to say this, too much snow. Is there such a thing as too much snow?"
Last week's storm pushed Northern Utah well over 130 percent of normal. Much of Eastern Utah is over 110-percent. Central Utah had a great turn-around last month, while Southwestern Utah made it above 70-percent after a dry start. Southeastern Utah is the only region far below normal.
Brian McInerney: "We've got reservoirs that are full, even spilling. Groundwater levels have come up and our potential for spring run-off is quite large."
Full streams and rivers in most of the state make necessary preparations for the possibility of flooding in specific areas.
Brian McInerney: "In the Cache Valley, along the Logan River, maybe City Creek to some extent, the Jordan River to some extent, and the Weber, depending how the climate shapes the run-off."
That's the key factor in the weeks ahead. A cool, wet spring increases the chances of flooding. Gradual warming with few drenching rains lessens the severity of flooding.
The hydrologists remind everyone to use good judgment near streams and rivers and keep an eye on children and pets. The raging water is extremely dangerous and we've already had one near-death this week when a man went into Parley's Creek after his dog.
