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Salt Lake County runoff update: snowpack near normal, runoff forecasts slightly below average
Summary
County flood-control staff told the council snow-water equivalent in the Jordan Basin was about 97% of average on April 13; reservoirs are largely full and runoff is expected slightly below normal, but debris and rapid warmups remain operational concerns.
Salt Lake County Flood Control staff briefed the council on spring runoff conditions on Tuesday and said snow-water-equivalent (SWE) totals in the Jordan Basin were about 97% of average as of April 13, 2025. The short-term forecast includes a multiday storm, but monthly and seasonal outlooks are leaning toward below-normal precipitation and warmer-than-average temperatures.
Robert Thompson, watershed section manager, and Cade Monker, director of Flood Control, explained that snow-water equivalent is the key metric for downstream water volume and debris risk. County staff presented data from multiple basin gauges: low-elevation sites such as Lewis Meadow in City Creek have already peaked and begun to decline; higher-elevation, north-facing sites typically peak later and were still being monitored.
Staff emphasized preparedness and lessons learned from the 2023 runoff response. The county maintains a network of in-line debris structures, detention and debris basins, and a gauging network that includes collaborations with USGS and municipal partners. Flood-control crews stage equipment and monitor critical basins daily during snowmelt, and sandbags and other supplies are prepositioned to respond quickly to debris flows.
Reservoir storage is generally high; staff reported Utah Lake and other reservoirs are near capacity and that controlled releases are underway. County officials said controlled releases into the Jordan River and surplus canals in coordination with the state and municipal partners can cause localized nuisance flooding and require careful monitoring to avoid downstream impacts.
The county’s forecast model projects slightly-below-normal streamflows for much of Salt Lake County, given current SWE and drought conditions shown on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Flood Control leaders urged continued monitoring because warm, rapid melting events — even in below-average years — can still generate hazardous debris flows and localized flooding.
Ending: Flood-control staff said they will continue to provide real-time stream-flow data and work with cities and state partners on releases, and urged residents in low-lying areas and recreation corridors to remain aware during the runoff season.
