Utah governor Spencer Cox has warned that a fresh drought declaration of emergency is probable this year.
On Monday, the governor suggested that an emergency declaration was probable during a formal bill signing event for water conservation laws.
He stated that practically the whole state of Utah is already under severe drought.
Utah in drought
MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP via Getty Images
"We've had a highly variable water year, and regrettably, recent spring storms aren't enough to make up for the shortfall in our snowpack," Cox stated in a press statement.
"Once again, I urge all Utahns' homes, farms, companies, governments, and other organizations to carefully assess their water demands and limit their water consumption, last year, we saved billions of gallons, and we can do it again," as per KJZZ14.
Reservoirs around the state are at 59% adequacy, with some, like Lake Powell, are 24% of capacity now.
The snowpack has crested two days early and is 25% below average, while the Great Salt Lake is still at an all-time low.
According to the most recent drought monitoring map, practically the whole state of Utah is experiencing some sort of drought, approximately 40% of the state is in "severe" drought.
Some local water agencies are already imposing limitations.
The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, which encompasses five counties, has announced that it would restrict outdoor water use for homeowners and agricultural producers, as per Fox 13.
The region was also taking the uncommon step of requesting homeowners to reduce their indoor water consumption by 10%.
The district's CEO, Scott Paxman, said citizens have always been great at conservation efforts, but he worried about a "rough year."
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall told FOX 13 News that city-owned facilities would cut water use by 14% this year, but she did not see the need to impose any restrictions because residents have been so good at voluntary conservation.
Nonetheless, the city has already implemented "Stage 2" drought restrictions.
Residents reduced their water consumption last year, saving millions of gallons and preventing the situation from worsening, according to Gov. Cox.
Meanwhile, the Utah State Legislature passed a slew of water-saving legislation.
The Great Salt Lake has dropped 11 feet since it was originally measured due to diversion, construction, drought, and climate change, and lawmakers have authorized $40 million to assist maintain and safeguard it.
Laws have been enacted to try to increase the amount of water in the lake, including unique agreements between environmental organizations and agricultural and industrial users to "lease" water rights for the lake itself.
The declaration of a state of emergency will free up resources for towns that may be severely harmed by drought.
But, primarily, the governor stated, it was intended to draw Utahns' attention to the drought problem and encourage them to conserve.
This year, lawmakers also established financial incentives to encourage Utahns to dump unneeded turf in favor of more desert-friendly landscaping.
Bills were introduced to enforce water conservation in future building plans, as well as a significant increase in secondary water metering, which measures outdoor water consumption.
