It’s been a very dry winter. Jay Mark Humphrey from the Emery Water Conservancy District said they are concerned, but not panicked over the current water situation. Huntington North Reservoir is full and the excess water is running down Huntington Creek.
Humphrey said, “We’ve tried for years to find a reservoir site to store water in the lower basin.
“We may have had four storms in two months. It would take a storm a week to make a difference. Right now we are at 37 percent of normal. Last year we were at 143 percent of average. It’s been a drier season, we haven’t had any real wet weather patterns.
“But, we had a lot of carry over water from last season. Huntington North is full, Cleveland is 51 percent and Miller’s Flat is 68 percent, Electric Lake 80 percent and Huntington is 63 percent. Joe’s Valley is at 73 percent. It won’t spill this season. Millsite Reservoir dam is being rehabilitated to meet dam safety regulations.
“The early forecast is that run off will be about 50 percent of average. Electric Lake won’t spill. We are looking at a severely dry water season. For the farmers this means they will get about 50 percent of normal. This will depend on where you’re at. We will deliver 100 percent of project water at the reservoir.
“Next fall these reservoirs will be low. Recreation may suffer, you may not be able to launch a boat in late summer at Joe’s Valley.
“It’s going to be a rough year for stream flows. There have been improvements to the farms, with the irrigation systems. We can survive a dry winter. The farmers should be OK. Their irrigation season may be shortened. The summer ranges for cattle grazing will suffer with this drought. We sure could use more snow.
“A low water year, makes my job harder, but we are doing all we can. The pressurized irrigation has helped.
“The citizens need to be aware, we are back in a drought, but it’s early in the season. We could get more storms. We will use all the tools we have available including weather modification. The overall forecast is not good. Everyone may have to cut back a little.
“The cities do a good job managing their water. The irrigation companies deliver the water to the cities. With the lack of snowpack the springs may be down. I do think we will have adequate drinking and secondary water but there may be restrictions on secondary water.
“The farmers may have to be more selective with their use of water. Industrial water will be fine,” said Humphrey.
Tough water year ahead for county
After Huntington North reservoir is full, all water runs down Huntington Creek. There is a need for lower basin water storage.