WSP07324

• File Number: 8210.137
• Description: Colorado River Basin-Colorado River Basin Organizations/Entities-Colorado River Forecast Committee
• State: UT
• Date: 3/1/1984
• Author: NOAA
• Title: Water Supply Outlook for Utah
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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as of March I, 1984 .

WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK FOR UTAH

NORTHERN UTAH: The
well above normal.
ranging from 125 to

water supply outlook for northern Utah continues to remain
Forecastsvaried only slightly from last month, generally
210 percent of normal.

February precipitation was very erratic over northern Utah with amounts ranging
from 16 percent at Laketown to 149 percent at Park Valley. The general trend
was below 100 percent from Ogden to the south and east and above 100 percent in
Box Elder and Cache Counties.

Seasonal precipitation generally remains well above normal over most of northern
Utah with portions of Davis, Weber and Cache counties reporting over 175 percent
of average. The upper Provo and Weber drainage basins are showing 100 to 125
percent of average.

Observed streamflow throughout northern Utah continues to run well above normal.
However, the cold dry months of January and February have reduced flows from the
170 to 190 percent range to near 150 percent.

Reservoir storages throughout northern Utah are generally slightly less than last
month and in many cases considerably less than a year ago at this time.

Average basin snow measurements on March 1 were much above normal over northern
Utah: Bear Ri'ler drainage-134%; Logan-128%; Ogden-164%; Weber-138%; Jordan -136%;
Provo - 1240.

The ele'lation of the Great Salt Lake on March 1 was 4206.70 feet msl. This is
0.40 feet higher than the February 1, 1984 reading and 4.45 feet higher than a
year ago at this time. The Lake is expected to continue to rise to a level of
4208.00 to 4209.00 feet, three to four feet higher than the peak last year.
The March 1, Utah Lake level at the Lehi Pumping Plant gage was 3.20 feet above
compromise. This is down O.16 feet since Februar:' 1, 1984 hut is 1.17 feet higher
than a year ago at this time. Inflow to Utah Lake during February was 79,000
acre-feet, 136 percent of normal while outflow was 90,000 acre-feet, more than
nine times normal. Utah Lake is expected to rise to 5.00 to 6.00 feet above
compromise this spring which will be the highest level on record.

.

Flood potential for this spring snowmelt continues to look threatening. April
through July forecasts indicate volumetric amounts only slightly less than those
received last year. Spring weather conditions will playa veFJ significant role
in how severe the flooding will be. If northern Utall has a cool, wet spring
similar to last, runoff conditions will be extremely critical. But if precipita-
cion is below normal and moderate temperatures prevail, the flood potential
could be dramatically reduced.

NOAA - NATIONAL '~~THER SERVICE
Colorado Basin River Forecast Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Gerald Williams, Hydrologist-in-Charge