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Public utilities: basin snowpack at about 49% of median; reservoirs provide buffer
Summary
Salt Lake City Public Utilities reported snow water equivalent across the Provo/Utah Lake/Jordan River basin at about 49% of the 30-year median and said reservoirs such as Deer Creek remain relatively full, offering a buffer despite low runoff projections.
Laura Brieffer, the city's director of public utilities, told media the city is in a "snow drought," with the snow water equivalent in the Provo, Utah Lake and Jordan River basin projected at about 49% of the 30-year median.
Brieffer said that projected runoff and mountain-stream flows that supply much of the city's water will be lower than normal. She stressed that the system remains more resilient because reservoirs, including Deer Creek Reservoir, are presently in relatively good condition and typically account for roughly 30 to 35% of Salt Lake City's annual water supply.
Brieffer cautioned that lower runoff makes the system less resilient to another failure elsewhere in the system and that continued multi-year drought could force further drawdown of storage. Officials said they are using stored water judiciously as an insurance policy to protect the city through potentially dry years.
The briefing emphasized that staff will monitor conditions and that early voluntary reductions give the city time to preserve storage and avoid more severe restrictions.
