Latest Stories
State urges Utahns to avoid watering until May, report misuse
Andrew Adams, KSL | Posted April 16 - 8:48 a.m.
State leaders and water watchers have already been calling on Utahns to conserve after a record-breaking low snowpack.
How this teaching moment aims to educate Utahns about water-wise native plants
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted April 15 - 10:02 p.m.
Students designed a new garden outside of a Salt Lake City charter school to offer an example for anyone starting their own native-plant garden.
Utah's snowpack situation is a piece of a larger Western problem
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted April 14 - 6:15 a.m.
States across the West dealt with below-average snowpack this season, which is leading to similar challenges facing Utah.
Utah collected a record-low snowpack this year. Here's how every basin fared
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted April 9 - 6:15 a.m.
Snowpack across nearly a dozen Utah basins peaked at levels below what was previously the region's record low, showcasing how every part of the state struggled to collect snow.
How Utah plans to spend $1B to save the Great Salt Lake
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted April 7 - 10:35 p.m.
President Donald Trump included Utah's request for $1 billion for lake restoration projects in his proposed federal budget, which would be used in a variety of ways.
Weber Basin Water Conservancy District responds to drought with 20% restriction
Mike Anderson, KSL | Posted April 7 - 8:34 p.m.
The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District is asking users to cut back on their watering this coming season by 20%, and shorten their season, running until Sept. 15.
'We're in a really tough shape': Lake Powell's grim outlook only getting worse
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted April 7 - 3:25 p.m.
Lake Powell's projected snowmelt inflows dropped by nearly 1 million acre-feet of water from last month, according to a new National Weather Service outlook report.
Water provider to lease water to Great Salt Lake amid record-low snowpack
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted April 6 - 2:55 p.m.
A major water provider in Salt Lake County is poised to deliver the Great Salt Lake a boost as the area's namesake deals with a record-low snowpack this year.
Utah breaks record for lowest April snowpack in nearly a century by 'a wide margin'
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted April 3 - 7:11 p.m.
Utah's snowpack on Wednesday was the lowest point to start April since snowpack data was first collected in 1930, according to a new report.
Utah's drought makes 'rare' leap to the extreme, as its record-low snowpack melts
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted April 2 - 3:14 p.m.
More than half of Utah suddenly finds itself in extreme drought, following record warmth that's already melted most of Utah's record-low snowpack.
Advisories issued as wintry weather returns to snap Utah's early summer preview
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted March 31 - 3:20 p.m.
Utah's early summer preview is coming to an end, as a mix of rain and snow returns to the Beehive State this week.
Utah's water situation is bleak this year. These barrels can help conservation efforts
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted March 25 - 9:05 p.m.
The Utah Rivers Council's RainHarvest program is back, and the nonprofit expects this year might be the busiest one yet because of the record low snowpack.
Salt Lake City adopts emergency water ordinance that also complicates ICE facility
Carter Williams and Tim Vandenack, KSL | Posted March 24 - 10:58 p.m.
Salt Lake City passed a measure that might fend off the development of an immigrant detention center on the city's west side.
Pineview water systems warns of $500 fine for using too much water
Mike Anderson, KSL | Posted March 24 - 8:20 a.m.
Pineview Water Systems is warning some 16,000 of its customers that homeowners who use more than 100% of their water allotments for the season will be fined $500 and have their secondary water shut off early.
How this year's historically low snowpack will affect the West
Kevin Lind, Deseret News | Posted March 22 - 9:00 p.m.
Without the largest, cheapest "reservoir," Utah water managers expect several impacts this summer.
Utah is facing a tough water situation. What's the best way to reduce use at home?
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted March 20 - 3:03 p.m.
Water providers across Utah may be forced to implement new water restrictions this year. Experts say there are many ways to cut water consumption at home.
Salt Lake City returns to water shortage plan; Cox expects others will follow
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted March 19 - 4:14 p.m.
Salt Lake City announced Thursday it's returning to its water shortage contingency plan, and Gov. Spencer Cox expects others will follow after this year's low snowpack.
Could forest thinning help increase Utah's snowpack?
Gitanjali Poonia, Deseret News | Posted March 15 - 7:11 p.m.
A new study shows that forest thinning not only protects against wildfires, but also helps conserve water and replenish the existing natural and human-made reservoirs.
Summer in March? Record-breaking forecast signals bad news for Utah's poor snowpack
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted March 13 - 5:02 p.m.
Utah might be in astronomical winter and meteorological spring, but a projected warm wave headed its way could bring temperatures more reminiscent of early summer.
Salt Lake City ponders return to drought plan amid unfavorable snowpack outlook
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted March 11 - 12:00 p.m.
Utah's capital city could soon return to its drought contingency plan for the first time since 2022, as leaders prepare for the possibility of a record-low snowpack collection this year.
Here's what the Utah Legislature did this session
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, Daniel Woodruff, Tim Vandenack, Carter Williams and Logan Stefanich, KSL | Posted March 7 - 12:44 a.m.
The Utah Legislature has adjourned following a 45-day session dealing with taxes, housing, courts, immigration and a host of other issues.
Lake Powell now on track for 5th-lowest runoff on record, per new projections
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted March 6 - 5:04 p.m.
Last month's precipitation improved Utah's water outlook somewhat, but Lake Powell's and Great Salt Lake's tributaries are still on pace to produce some of their worst spring runoffs ever.
Salt Lake City had its warmest winter ever as Utah enters spring on a wet note
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted March 2 - 4:55 p.m.
Salt Lake City experienced its warmest winter since weather records were first kept in 1874. And the rest of Utah will likely follow suit.
Utah's Colorado River commissioner says Lower Basin states are being 'untruthful'
Eva Terry, Deseret News | Posted March 1 - 10:32 a.m.
The Colorado River states are still stuck in a stalemate over future water allocations, and the Utah River Commission is growing frustrated.
