Thursday,

November 4,
2021
Utah Drought Issue
#23

Should you be worried?

Grey Groethe

Just how bad is it?

The latest updates
It comes as no surprise to most Utah
residents that their home state is the 3rd
driest state in the nation. Despite the
natural beauty produced by the arid
climate, the limited precipitation and
snowcap can prove to be challenging for
Utahns across all lines of work and
resource management.
Utah Governor Cox has made admirable
efforts to impress the severity of the
drought on the population, declaring states
of emergency in many counties and asking
residents to limit outdoor watering to two
times a week at most (among other
counter-drought measures).
The Utah Division of Natural Resources
reports that 2020 was Utah’s hottest, driest
year on record. The lack of spring and
summertime precipitation combined with a
“dismal” snowpack (only 81% of normal Grey Groethe
levels) led to dry soil, streams and rivers at
half-capacity, and nearly empty reservoirs.
How are we affected?
Utah’s government declared state of emergency in March of 2021.
Chances are, if you’ve been to Utah,
These drought statistics make the situation you’ve noticed that half of the motor
appear extraordinarily dismal. With over vehicles have license plates boasting
90% of Utah’s area suffering from “extreme “Greatest Snow on Earth”. We may be
drought”, government officials and citizens biased but take the fact that the winter
alike wonder if the state’s ability to receive Olympics were held here in 2002 as proof
and save water can keep up with the that our snow is truly extraordinary.
booming population, which is projected to People come from far and wide to hit the
double by 2032. slopes and experience the famous Utah
Regardless of your opinion on how the powder.
drought should be handled, the However, the downward trend of
Pineview Reservoir pictured above. extraordinarily low water levels of precipitation and snowpack is congruent
reservoirs and rivers display just how dry with the decline of tourism for ski resorts –
Utah really is. Even though water continues one of Utah’s biggest sources of income.
to run out of your faucets without problem, Agriculture also is taking a huge hit. Many
the drought is affecting you and others more state farmers and cattle herders are
than you may realize. reporting that they were forced to reduce
Water gives life to humans, plants, animals, production because of water scarcity,
and – you guessed it – Utah’s economy. which is another huge blow to the state
economy.

Otter Creek Reservoir Recapture Creek Reservoir

Sevier Bridge Reservoir
23,165/205,160 acft (11%)
Sevier Bridge Reservoir is Utah’s
largest reservoir by total capacity but
comes in at last place with 11%
relative capacity.
*Reservoir levels measured in acre feet.
11,930/52,660 acft (23%)
Otter Creek Reservoir is Utah’s 2nd
largest reservoir by total capacity but
comes in 5th place for emptiness with
23% relative capacity.
Page 1
3,156/8,820 acft (36%)
Recapture Creek Reservoir is not
nearly las large as Sevier Bridge or
Otter Creek Reservoirs, yet it ranks
3rd for total capacity. It takes 9th place
for emptiness with a 36% relative
capacity.
 Thursday, November 4, 2021
Grey Groethe
Here’s how the numbers really measure up
It may not be as dire as it seems.
Considering all of the statistics and data
presented for the drought, you may be
quick to start filling your buckets and
bathtubs with water in preparation for the
historic water shortage that will surely
present itself. However, taking a look at
another set of data might ease your
conscience.
The Utah Rivers Council (URC) revealed
new data that put Utah’s drought in
perspective for many people. It’s true that
the reservoirs and rivers are running dry,
but Utah citizens won’t be living off
imported bottled water anytime soon.
Earlier in this article, we mentioned that
agriculture is one of the largest sources of
income for Utah’s economy. This is
undoubtedly reflected in the URC’s
report.
Grey Groethe
Utah’s Drought – What now?
While the UCR’s statistics show that we
won’t be without water for daily living
for the foreseeable future. However, we
must continue to be responsible as a
society and use our resources wisely.
If you’re really wanting to help, some
things that everyday people can do to
help conserve water and support Utah
farming are common-sense techniques,
while others may come as a surprise.
NEWS TODAY
Water use statistics show that only 8% of
Utah’s overall water usage can be
attributed to residential use. This includes
showers, laundry, cooking, and even
outdoor lawn watering. This came as a
shock, as recent restrictions on lawn
watering made it out to be the villain of
the drought.
This same report shows another 7% of
Utah’s water use goes to government
buildings and services, as well as
resident-owned businesses. Restaurants,
car washes, and the DMV all fit in this
category of water usage.
The final portion of water usage statistics
is claimed by agriculture and livestock.
85% of Utah’s overall water store is used
for farming. This may come as a surprise
to many people, but your 20-minute
showers don’t really hurt as much as you
may think.
One thing most people don’t consider is
watering your lawn at night, which
keeps most of the water from being
wasted by evaporation under the sun.
Running your dishwashers and washing
machines on economy modes can save a
large amount of water, as well as turning
off the water while you hand wash
dishes, brush your teeth, or while you’re
washing yourself in the shower.
Page 2
Issue #23
With this new data set in mind, it becomes
obvious that Utah has plenty of room to
grow. Technically speaking, Utah’s
population could increase twelvefold
before residential water usage neared the
100% mark. As Utah continues to grow,
farmland is being converted to residential
area at a rate of 30 acres per day. Farming
water from that converted land is
repurposed for residential use.
It may be time for the Utah State
Government to consider outsourcing the
production of food to states that are not so
strongly affected by drought conditions to
reduce strain on Utah’s residents and
businesses. We love our farmers, but Utah
isn’t built to farm and have large cities
simultaneously.
Chuck Norris
Ogden County Nonsense
Totally Unrelated
Last night, a flaming DeLorean
seemingly appeared out of nowhere at a
Shell gas station located on Porter
Avenue.
Bystanders were shocked as the car
nearly ran over Jason Bourne; a 42-year-
old local who is a frequent customer
there. The store owner says he has
nothing to do with the incident but said
the passengers in the vehicle were an old,
disgruntled scientist and a poorly dressed
teenager that thought it was 2015.
It is unclear as to who these two men
were, or how the teen was associated with
the old man. Local authorities suspect a
kidnapping, but the situation remains
unclear. Use of narcotics and other drugs
is suspected; both the passengers claimed
to be time travelers. Who would build a
time machine out of a DeLorean, of all
cars?
Suspects pictured above.