By Julie Johansen
When considering the drought conditions in Castle Country, meteorologists are comparing 2018 to 1977, which was one of the lowest water years on record.
The prediction for water use this summer is about 40% of normal. This will require residents to be patient and practice wise water conservation. There will be little or no snow banks in local watersheds for run off, according to reports. The snow that has fallen is powdery with little water content.
Wise water conservation in past years has left the area’s reservoirs in reasonably good shape. Joe’s Valley Reservoir is 74% full, Electric Lake 79%, Miller’s Flat 69%, Cleveland Reservoir 51%, Scofield 75% and Huntington North is 96% full. This higher figure for Huntington North is because it is filled during the winter months from Huntington Creek. Millsite is only 7% full because of the rehabilitation, but has risen 12 feet since the initial drainage. These monitoring services are available online at the Emery Water Conservancy District’s website and can be very useful for everyone in following the water storage and usage.
The Utah Snowtel Snowpack for Price and San Rafael District was at a median of 34% on Feb. 22. This means that it is only 34% of normal, average from the years 1981 to 2010. Of course, this varies with weather conditions and will continue to do so as time advances into the water usage for spring and summer.
On Feb. 20, the Emery County Commissioners approved a resolution declaring the existence of a Drought Emergency in Emery County. This was pursuant to Water Users Agencies Code 17-8-7 and could be used for drought relief revenues later this year.
2018 will definitely be a year for conservative use of water in all areas, including culinary, secondary, irrigation and industrial use.