National Drought Mitigation Center
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National Drought Mitigation Center
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Drought emergency in Utah
10/17/2018 12:00:00 AM



CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Utah
Beaver County, UT
Box Elder County, UT
Cache County, UT
Carbon County, UT
Daggett County, UT
Davis County, UT
Duchesne County, UT
Emery County, UT
Garfield County, UT
Grand County, UT
Iron County, UT
Juab County, UT
Kane County, UT
Millard County, UT
Morgan County, UT
Piute County, UT
Rich County, UT
Salt Lake County, UT
San Juan County, UT
Sanpete County, UT
Sevier County, UT
Summit County, UT
Tooele County, UT
Uintah County, UT
Utah County, UT
Wasatch County, UT
Washington County, UT
Wayne County, UT
Weber County, UT

Start Date: 10/15/2018 - End Date: 9/30/2019
Gov. Gary Herbert rescinded an executive order issued one year ago due to drought. The drought emergency was issued in October 2018 when 99 percent of the state was in moderate drought and 88 percent was in severe drought. KMYU (Salt Lake City, Utah), Sept. 30, 2019 Gov. Gary Herbert declared a drought emergency for the entire state of Utah as drought was at or nearing historic levels. Drought was most intense in San Juan County in the southeast corner of the state, and six counties declared drought disasters. “Such difficult conditions are harming the quality of life and the livelihoods of many Utah families and agricultural producers,” Herbert said. “The ramifications of drought extend beyond our depleted water supply. Drought harms our industries, agriculture, recreation and wildlife, and it worsens wildfire conditions and air quality.” Some farmers were not able to harvest alfalfa, while some ranchers had to sell livestock at a loss, according to Agriculture and Food Commissioner LuAnn Adams. State officials were imploring residents to conserve water by cutting shower times and only running appliances with full loads, as 16 of the state’s major reservoirs held less than 20 percent of their capacity. The water year ending Sept. 30 was the Beehive State’s driest since 1895 when record keeping began, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It was also the state’s second warmest year on record, increasing evaporation and depleting water supplies. Salt Lake Tribune (Utah), Oct. 15, 2018
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