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Davis Journal

Great Salt Lake reaches all-time low this week

Jul 12, 2022 02:54PM ● By Tom Haraldsen

(Editor’s Note—This is one of our continuing series of stories as part of our Davis Journal Water Watchers campaign)

The Great Salt Lake reached an all-time low on Tuesday as Utah’s drought continues. Even with a few thunderstorms the week before the Fourth of July holiday, record high temperatures in June and rapid evaporation is causing continued water woes for the state.

On June 12, Salt Lake City reached 102 degrees, the city’s first 100-plus degree day of the year and beating the previous high for that date set in 1918. Officials at the Division of Water Resources are hoping signs of a monsoon season, which we experienced last week, are a barometer of things to come.

“Storms these past couple of weeks gave us a glimpse of the monsoon season,” said Candice Hasenyager, director of DWR. “We welcome this precipitation and recognize that it helps to reduce demand on our water supplies. It is essential to use our water wisely to ensure it’s available now and into the future.”

The elevation of the Great Salt Lake on July 5 was 4190.1, breaking the previous record low of 4190.2 set on Oct. 18, 2021. It is nearly 1.6 feet lower than this time last year and over 7 feet lower than in July 2012. Seasonal water supply forecasts throughout the Great Basin, not including the GSL, are 50-60% of average for 2022.

Coupled with the lack of water is the increase of fire danger, as drier fuels exist. As of July 1, there had been 321 wildfires in Utah this year, 221 of them human-caused.

Sixteen of Utah’s largest 45 reservoirs are below 55% of available capacity. Overall statewide storage is 62% of capacity, about where reservoirs were this time last year. Of the 99 measured streams, 55 are flowing below normal despite spring runoff. 

Officials from cities, towns, counties and the state continue to emphasize the importance of water conservation as the hottest months of the year await us. λ