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SALT LAKE CITY — Many Utahns are not excited about the recent snowy conditions, but state hydrologists are hoping more storms will hit Utah to increase the water levels.
"We are always thinking about it," said Weber Basin Water Conversancy District representative, Mark Anderson. "This level is about the second lowest level we've seen in the last 20 years."
Anderson is the chief engineer for the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District and he said that water levels across the state are currently only at 35 percent of capacity.
"Back in mid-December, we had some good snow storms which pushed our snow level to the 90-percent level, but since that time we've had a 21-percent drop."
Hydrologist Randy Julander said two straight years of drought conditions have made filling the reservoirs to 100-percent in 2014 almost impossible.
"We're in a pretty deep hole already and the probability is, we're not going to make it out," Julander said.
In July 2013, the popular Outdoor Retailer Boat Show had to be moved to Pineview Reservoir because of the extremely low water levels at Jordanelle Reservoir. But, even Pineview was below average.
Hydrologists are encouraged by the numerous snow storms during this winter, but they said that these recent storms still may not be enough to boost the water levels to 100 percent.
"We need every one of these storms to keep pace with what we normally would be getting," Julander said. "They're just not big enough to actually get us ahead of the ballgame at this point. (However), home runs are hit in the ninth inning. It's (still) possible."
"We still have some time to recover so that's the good news," Anderson said.
