Northern Utah water solutions are achievable, but not simple
Standard-Examiner – Water-related problems can’t be solved myopically, says Tage Flint, general manager of Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, in this special to the Standard-Examiner. “It will not be easy, it will not be cheap, and it should be brimming with input and discussion,” he says.
Elk Ridge’s main water supply down, outdoor watering banned
Deseret News – Equipment failure in Elk Ridge’s primary well that supplies water to residents and businesses has led to an outdoor watering prohibition for as long as five weeks.
Wet May delays irrigation use, keeps reservoirs in good shape
Deseret News – A wet, cool May helped delay the use of irrigation water for fields and lawns, keeping reservoir levels steady across much of Utah. The rainstorms put Utah on track to log an average year for precipitation.
Spring snow a no-go?
UNews – Spring snowpack, relied on by ski resorts and water managers throughout the Western United States, may be more vulnerable to a warming climate in coming decades, according to a new University of Utah study.
High and Dry: Climate Change, Water, and the Economy
World Bank – The impacts of climate change will be channeled primarily through the water cycle. These challenges are not insurmountable, however. This new World Bank report describes how smart policies that induce water-use efficiency, align incentives, and invest in adaptive technologies can go a long way.
Unplugging the Colorado River
New York Times – Giant dam projects promised to elevate the American West above its greatest handicap—a perennial shortage of water. But today, there are signs that the promise of Glen Canyon Dam and others has run its course. Could the end be near for one of the West’s biggest dams?
Utah launches ‘H2Oath’ campaign to conserve water
The prolonged drought has prompted the Utah Division of Water Resources to renew its efforts to promote water conservation in the state. Take the pledge now at water.utah.gov/h2oath.
Lake Powell pipeline debate enters new phase
Deseret News – After years of preparation, Utah has submitted a voluminous licensing application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to start the initial review process for the Lake Powell Pipeline.
Hydroterrorism: A Threat to Water Resources
Hydroterrorism—a form of terrorism in which water is the tool or the target—is intensifying. Recent incidents in the Middle East and past incidents elsewhere illustrate that water resource systems are vulnerable to both physical and virtual attacks. This white paper introduces the problem, presents pertinent examples, and offers some direction for response.
Stream study provides insight for water storage in the West
Deseret News – A new study probing the potential impacts of a warming climate on streamflows in the West suggests that management of key storage reservoirs will be more important than ever.
Infographic: Water & Energy
View an infographic that explores the water-energy nexus and trends that influence it.
How Salt Lake City’s water use varies in time and space
Directions – Understanding the timing, location, and magnitude of water uses at sub-city scales is important for managing water resources and planning the associated infrastructure.This case study describes a spatiotemporal analysis of water consumption in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Great Salt Lake is shrinking, scientists say
USU – Water diversions since pioneer times have reduced water supply to the Great Salt Lake, decreasing its elevation by 11 feet and exposing much of the lake bed. A new white paper by USU scientists and state water managers describes the effects of water uses and climatic fluctuations on the lake’s levels.
