Recent Updates (as of 07/02/26)
- With critical fire danger escalating across the state and drought conditions straining water supplies, officials are urging all residents to exercise extreme caution this holiday weekend. As fire activity intensifies, please recreate responsibly to help prevent new wildfire starts while crews manage ongoing incidents.
- Fire activity has escalated significantly across the state, with many ongoing large-scale incidents, including the Cottonwood, Babylon, Wild Goose, Cherry, and Iron fires. The combination of sustained high temperatures, dry fuels, and wind has created critical fire danger. As a result, fire officials are observing aggressive fire behavior earlier than the historical average for this time of year, with over 312,000 acres burned to-date.
- When fighting wildfires in Utah, state and federal agencies can immediately draw water from reservoirs under emergency authority, temporarily bypassing standard water rights to protect lives and property. This process is highly coordinated through pre-mapped “dip sites” such as Minersville Reservoir, Kent’s Lake, Scipio Reservoir, the Millard County Road Reservoir, and Utah Lake. Land Use Agreements with water right holders are secured either before or during an incident. Whether helicopters are dipping buckets or planes are skimming the surface, every gallon is carefully tracked for post-incident accounting and reimbursement.
- Reservoir storage averages 64% full, which is 11% lower than the normal for this time of year, and 15% lower than this time last year.
- The boat ramp at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is currently closed. When reservoirs reach low levels, some parks are forced to close their boat launch ramps in order to help better protect visitors and their property. Visit the Division of State Parks boat ramp conditions webpage for more information.
- Because Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) may be happening earlier than normal, residents are urged to learn how to identify them and find current water advisories at HABs.utah.gov
- Due to current low water levels from construction projects and ongoing drought impacts, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources issued emergency changes to increase the daily fishing limits at seven waterbodies in Utah, effective immediately. For more information about drought impacts on fish and fishing in Utah, visit the DWR website.
- Due to continuing drought conditions and ongoing severe wildfire concerns, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources — in coordination with the applicable county sheriff’s offices, as required by law — is temporarily restricting recreational target shooting with a firearm on wildlife management areas in 17 counties in Utah. Learn more here.
- Utah State Parks is excited to announce that visitors heading to a state park on July 4 will have the opportunity to bounce back to another state park free of charge! This is valid at all Utah State Parks, excluding state park golf courses. Learn more here.
- In Utah, about 95% of our water supply comes from snowpack. Reservoir storage helps us preserve that water for use in dry summer months and drought years. To encourage water conservation among Utahns, the Department of Natural Resources continues to promote initiatives such as the Agricultural Water Optimization Program for farmers and SlowtheFlow.org for residents. These programs aim to educate and incentivize water-saving practices, ensuring Utahns become more drought-resilient and prepare for future conditions. Many indoor water-saving tips are available on the Slow the Flow website.
- Check out the Department of Natural Resources’ latest article: Drought in Utah
Current Conditions
Reservoir Levels
Reservoirs collect and store water for drinking, irrigation for farms and ranches, and provide minimum flows for fish health.
Snowpack
95% of Utah’s water comes from snowpack. The NRCS Snow Survey Program provides mountain snowpack data critical for water supply management, conservation planning, drought prediction and more.
Drought Monitor
The U.S. Drought Monitor is a national drought map that categorizes drought into four categories: moderate, severe, extreme, and exceptional.
Water Conditions Monitoring
The Division of Water Resources, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, and the Utah Climate Center host a committee to collect weather conditions around the state.
Wildfire
In Utah, more than half of the wildfires are human-caused. Please be vigilant and use good Fire Sense to help prevent human-caused wildfires.
Great Salt Lake
Extended drought conditions contributed to the decline of lake elevation levels. The Great Salt Lake website centralizes the tools, efforts and organizations that are working to protect and preserve the lake.
Be Waterwise
Weekly Lawn Watering Guide
This guide uses weather pattern data to customize watering recommendations for each county, for traditional and low-water lawns.
Slow the Flow
Water-saving tips, tools and rebates to help Utahns slow the flow and use this precious resource wisely.
Impacts & Restrictions
Recreational Impacts
Low water levels can impact recreation. Know before you go and avoid boat ramp closures and other surprises.
Your Water Supply
Water sources and conditions vary across the state. Restrictions are determined and enforced at the local level, which allows for customization according to the area’s water supply conditions.
Wildlife & Agriculture Impacts
Drought affects fish, wildlife and agriculture. For example, as water levels drop, water heats up and can be fatal to fish, which may result in changes to fishing limits. Cuts to water use may also impact farmers.
Water Rights
Utah follows the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation, meaning water is delivered based on seniority. Prior appropriation provides a clear framework for allocating water during times of scarcity – “first in time, first in right”.