Governor Spencer Cox said he would not rule out seeking a drought declaration if Utah’s already-bleak water situation intensified. While the good news is that water supplies are good because reservoirs are full, FOX 13 News first reported on Wednesday that new government reports showed snowpack levels are among the worst ever; Utah’s snow water equivalent (the water we get out of snow) is at a record low; and this winter was the warmest on record. The Great Salt Lake could hit a new record low this year and Lake Powell, which helps prop up the Colorado River system, could drop to such a low it ceases to generate electricity for millions of people across the West.

Other drought and water restriction news around the West:

• KUSA/NBC9 (Denver, Colo.): Denver Water and Aurora Water use differing approaches with large water users amid drought
• KUSA/NBC9 (Denver, Colo.): Denver water restrictions set to begin March 25 amid near-record low snowpack
• KRCC (Colorado Springs, Colo.): Colorado Springs Utilities asks residents to use less water after a warm dry winter
• ABC4 (Salt Lake City): SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall addresses potential water shortage and plans to conserve
• FOX13 (Salt Lake City): Salt Lake City enters Stage 2 Advisory to battle potential water shortage
• KSL (Salt Lake City): Salt Lake City returns to water shortage plan; Cox expects others will follow