UTAH RESERVOIR REPORT
Last Updated: December 21, 2025
Utah's reservoirs and dams are seeing a mix of storage levels, with some noting significant deviations from their historical averages. Data from the latest observations reveals instances of both higher and lower water storage than is typical for this time of year. For example, Utah Lake displays a higher volume of water with current storage at 662,409 acre-feet, exceeding its average of 629,765 acre-feet. Conversely, Willard Bay Reservoir shows a notable decrease, holding only 81,967 acre-feet compared to its average storage of 135,530 acre-feet. This variability reflects the impacts of recent weather patterns, including wind and snow advisories, as well as broader climatic trends that affect snowpack and river flows. Strawberry Reservoir, notably, has expanded its storage to 937,189 acre-feet, surpassing its average of 795,013 acre-feet, which could relate to the current weather conditions lashing the region with rain and snow as reported by The New York Times.
Among the major dams, Flaming Gorge Reservoir is currently holding 2,996,156 acre-feet, higher than its average of 2,915,103 acre-feet, indicating a robust water level. In contrast, Trial Lake's storage is critically low at 343 acre-feet, far below its average of 946.94 acre-feet, suggesting potential issues with inflow or increased usage. This is an abnormal condition for the season and could be a cause for concern. Similarly, Steinaker and Starvation Reservoirs are showing less water than average, with 9,042 and 120,166 acre-feet respectively, which might be linked to lower snowpack levels leading to reduced river flows. In general, the observed variations in dam and reservoir levels underscore the influence of short-term weather events and potentially long-term climate changes, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and possibly adjustments in water management strategies to account for these fluctuations.
Utah has over 100 reservoirs and dams, many of which are used for irrigation, hydroelectric power, and recreation. Major reservoirs in the state include Lake Powell, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and Strawberry Reservoir. Water for these reservoirs comes from streams and rivers, including the Colorado River and its tributaries, the Green River, and the Provo River. Snowpack from the mountains is a significant source of water for these streams and rivers. Utah experiences a semi-arid climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Drought conditions have been prevalent in recent years, leading to low water levels in some reservoirs. However, record snowfall in 2019 helped to replenish some of these reservoirs. Seasonal trends typically see higher water levels in the spring and early summer due to snowmelt, with levels decreasing in late summer and fall. Overall, reservoirs and dams play a crucial role in managing Utah's water resources and supporting various industries and recreational activities.
Utah has over 100 reservoirs and dams, many of which are used for irrigation, hydroelectric power, and recreation. Major reservoirs in the state include Lake Powell, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and Strawberry Reservoir. Water for these reservoirs comes from streams and rivers, including the Colorado River and its tributaries, the Green River, and the Provo River. Snowpack from the mountains is a significant source of water for these streams and rivers. Utah experiences a semi-arid climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Drought conditions have been prevalent in recent years, leading to low water levels in some reservoirs. However, record snowfall in 2019 helped to replenish some of these reservoirs. Seasonal trends typically see higher water levels in the spring and early summer due to snowmelt, with levels decreasing in late summer and fall. Overall, reservoirs and dams play a crucial role in managing Utah's water resources and supporting various industries and recreational activities.