Commission keeps close watch on Georgetown Lake as levels remain above full pool

Granite County commissioners voted to continue their current strategy of closely monitoring Georgetown Lake after staff reported the reservoir remains above full pool and is spilling in places. Staff warned that increasing releases now could lower the lake only marginally while risking flooding at downstream campgrounds and roads.

"I'll make a motion that you keep the monitor and just keep going as we are," said a county committee member during the meeting, proposing continued monitoring and operational adjustments as needed. County staff said recent modelling showed modest additional releases would lower the lake by only a fraction of an inch over two weeks while potentially flooding low-lying areas.

Rachel and other staff described inflows from Silver Lake and tributaries that are keeping lake levels high. Staff emphasized that pumping more water now could force higher downstream flows — and noted the county must balance releases with impacts across the county line.

The motion to continue monitoring was seconded and passed by voice vote; commissioners asked staff to provide near-daily updates while water levels remain elevated. The board did not direct any emergency releases during the meeting.

Commissioners said they will reconvene on the matter if conditions deteriorate — for example, if a large storm increases inflow and a coordinated release to protect the dam becomes necessary. For now, they directed staff to maintain the monitoring cadence and report back with data and recommended thresholds for any future release decisions.