Gov. Spencer Cox’s emergency drought declaration has now expired, but state water managers say conservation should “remain a top priority” as the state’s typically driest season approaches. … Cox declared a state of emergency for 17 of Utah’s 29 counties late last month, citing extreme and severe drought conditions already in place across large swaths of central and southern Utah. Below-average snowpack levels in those regions were also a factor in the emergency. … Although Utah’s reservoir system remains at 87% of capacity, drought continues to be a challenge heading into summer. About 70% of Utah remains in drought, including 46% of the state that is either in severe or extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s final report before meteorological summer begins.

Other Utah water news:

• FOX13 (Salt Lake City, Utah): Here’s where a subpar water year is already hitting Utah hard
• KUTV (Salt Lake City, Utah): Utah County plans $1.6B water project to meet growing population demands
• KSL (Salt Lake City, Utah): Daily fishing limit increased at Utah reservoir over low water levels
• Utah Division of Water Resources: News release: Utah water conditions update May 2025