Jordan Clayton, a data collection officer for the Utah Snow Survey discusses the August water availability report, which shows recent monsoonal rains improved soil moisture, but didn't reduce deficits in the statewide water supply after a record-low snowpack year. Jordan notes that Utah relies on mountain snowpack to fill reservoirs. He says most of Utah's basins are sitting at the 20% or lower for water availability as of Aug. 1. Locally, he says Thaynes Canyon saw less than 50% of normal August precipitation, while Mill D North was near 75%. Streamflows are also below normal. East Canyon Creek near Jeremy Ranch is at about 57% of normal monthly flow, near Morgan about 52%, and Rockport Reservoir inflow was below normal. Clayton notes that the El Nino forecasted for the coming winter offers some hope. He says southern and southwestern Utah could see above-normal midwinter precipitation. But some valley locations may be warm and not see much snow. For mountain snowpack, he says, the jury's still out, particularly for northern Utah.
Monsoon rains aid soil moisture, state water supply remains low
