Snowpack still strong in northern Utah, bleak in the south


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CACHE COUNTY — While the rain and snow Utah received in March didn't prove to be impressive, experts say it was enough to keep the northern part of the state on track for a strong water supply.

"Snowpacks remain mostly constant from what they were, March 1," said Randy Julander, state hydrologist. "In essence, we've been kind of in a holding pattern."

Still, that's not a bad thing. February brought tremendous snowpack growth, especially in Rich and Cache counties.

"That is the most dramatic reversal I've ever seen in my life," said Clark Israelson, agricultural agent for Utah State University. "It's a miracle."

While some credit cloud seeding for the increased precipitation, Israelson says several families and farmers attribute the turnaround that nearly doubled the water supply to something else.

"There was quite an effort here in the northern part of the state especially, with a special fast," Israelson said.

While the outlook for summer is very strong from Utah County north, Julander warns that it will still take some time before many reservoirs look normal again.

"There are some reservoirs on the Weber (River) that look a little iffy," Julander said.

News for the southern half of the state is not as good. Julander says many areas, especially along the Virgin River could still use a miracle.

"In southern Utah, we continue to be in a tailspin," Julander said. "When you look at projected climate conditions, most of those are for warm and dry."

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Mike Anderson

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