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Show Water outlook down in Southern Utah Utah's Water Supply Outlook ranges from "below average" for areas without reservoir storage to "average" or slightly better for areas with reservoir carryover, a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, indicated. The report is provided through the Soil Conservation Service in collaboration with the Utah State Department of Natural Resources, division of water rights. Further indications as of January 1 are that snow cover varies from 60 to 80 percent in southern Utah to as high as 135 percent of average in northern Utah. Reservoir storage on 23 reservoirs is 129 percent of the 15 year average and about 10 percent less than one year ago. Specifically the Outlook was reported as follows: Snow Cover Snow measurements taken about January 1 vary from 57 percent of the January 1 average at East Portal to 179 percent of average at Farmington Upper snow course. Upper Bear River snow cover is 76 percent of the January 1 average and the Lower Bear is about average. Ogden River is average for January 1 and about 77 percent better than last year at this time. Weber River snow cover is about 150 percent of average on the west side of the basin but only 74 percent of average on the east side where the main river heads. Provo River snow cover is 89 percent of average and about 23 percent less than last year. Snow cover along the Wasatch Front above Salt Lake is 100 percent of average and 68 percent of last January 1. Uintah Basin is 88 percent of average but almost half again as much as last year at this time. Middle Canyon above Tooele is 105 percent of average but only 66 percent of last year. Price River is 76 percent of the 15 year average for January 1. The Lower Sevier River is 98 percent of average and the Upper Sevier is 78 percent of average. Virgin River snow cover is only 68 percent of average and about 95 percent of last January 1. |