Loveland Living Planet Aquarium & UVU [25MAR2026] Utah Valley University and the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium are partnering to provide hands-on learning experiences for students. Utah Valley University (UVU) announced this week that it will be working with Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. The partnership will give UVU students a dedicated space within the new Sam & Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center at the aquarium along with hands-on access to field-based coursework and research experiences. It also expands students' opportunities in marine conservation, animal behavior, and rehabilitation, according to UVU. This partnership represents an extraordinary expansion of opportunity for our students. Dean of UVU's College of Science. "By embedding learning directly within a world-class facility like the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium we are creating immersive hands-on experiences that extend beyond the classroom. This space is designed to serve students from across the university, not only those majoring in science." This partnership will be available for students in multiple fields. This collaboration reflects the shared mission to inspire people of all ages to explore, discover, and take action to improve our global ecosystem for all life on Earth. Together, we're not just sharing knowledge we're cultivating a deeper sense of responsibility and stewardship for the ecosystems that sustain us all.
Hardware Wildlife Education Center [20MAR2026] How about visiting an interactive wildlife exhibit with a focus on beavers and their positive impact on the environment? Fresh woodchips, fallen trees covered in teeth marks, and small ponds along Curtis Creek are all signs that one animal is hiding in plain sight. Beavers are awesome. North America's largest rodent is for a healthy environment. Once prized for their pelts, the beaver population was almost wiped out in the 1840s. Now the animals are prized for their ingenuity. They're one of the few animals in the wildlife world that are partners in wildlife restoration with the Division of Wildlife. They build their own habitat and by doing so they're creating more biodiversity of plants and animals for the other wildlife that live in those same areas. Outside the center visitors can get close to a few beaver dams. However beavers are a little elusive during the day so they shouldn't count on seeing one of the animals. Nonetheless, wild turkeys, trout and other wildlife are easy to spot within the Hardware Wildlife Management Area during daylight. Some dams near the center have essentially doubled in size since last year. This means the surrounding wetlands have grown as well. Wetlands store water and then slowly release it back into the rivers, so by the beavers damming up these rivers, creating wetlands, we have a built-in storage device in these high mountain rivers.
Glen Canyon NRA [18MAR2026] The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is making changes to their marinas in an effort to maintain boating access in the 2026 summer season according to the National Park Service. Low water levels anticipated for the summer caused the recreation area to adjust the marina facilities this year. Their goal is to ensure visitors can continue accessing services in the Bullfrog and Halls Crossing areas. That means relocating the Bullfrog Marina and Bullfrog Boat Rentals and Fuel Dock, NPS officials said. In the coming months Aramark will begin moving the Bullfrog Marina and Bullfrog Boat Rentals and Fuel Dock into deeper water near Halls Crossing Marina. This temporary move will position marina services in a more reliable location for the 2026 summer season and beyond. The land-based services at Bullfrog remain open. Fuel will remain attached to the Bullfrog Boat Rentals dock. As for other changes to Glen Canyon, the Stanton Creek Ramp Project is in the final stages of planning. The NPS is reportedly finalizing plans for a new permanent, long-term ramp at Stanton Creek, located at the Bullfrog Marina. The new ramp is designed to function at lower lake elevations and improve uplake boat access once completed. Due to the project's size and complexity the ramp will not be completed for the summer 2026 season but remains a key component of Glen Canyon's long-range infrastructure strategy. After the Stanton Creek ramp project is completed the Bullfrog Marina will be permanently moved to that location, near the established community and facilities of Bullfrog. The park is exploring options for a primitive ramp in the Bullfrog/Stanton Creek area for this summer, however it is unknown at this time how deep the ramp could extend. Lake Powell reportedly remains open for water-based recreation. Boaters are encouraged to check current lake levels, ramp status, and operating conditions before heading out.
I-15 / Mountain View Corridor [18MAR2026] The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has begun construction on a $600 million project that will build out a new freeway connection between I-15 and Mountain View Corridor in Lehi. The project will reportedly result in the construction of a new nearly three-mile-long freeway connection at 2100 North in Lehi. The connection will create a faster route for people traveling across northwest Utah County, according to UDOT. Construction crews will also build 14 new bridges along with two pedestrian bridges and around two miles of shared-use paths. Crews will also be realigning and reconstructing two miles of existing trails to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists. The Utah Dept of Transportation has begun construction on a $600 million project that will build out a new freeway connection between I-15 and Mountain View Corridor in Lehi. As for the new road, engineers believe the new route will save east-west commuters around 12 minutes in each direction during peak travel times. This project strengthens how communities connect to the rest of Utah. By linking Mountain View Corridor directly to I-15 it's making it easier for residents to travel across the region. Whether that's commuting to work, visiting family or heading out to enjoy everything the beautiful state of Utah has to offer. This project is a part of a $1.4 billion investment into several projects aimed to improve transportation in Utah County. One of those projects which completed in December 2025 opened a four-mile segment of Mountain View Corridor between 2100 North and Porter Rockwell Boulevard. The new four-lane road reportedly has five pedestrian bridges and a 12-foot-wide multi-use path. The new connection at 2100 North, aside from creating a streamlined freeway transfer is expected to lessen pressure on nearby routes like Redwood Road - one of the most congested corridors in Utah County. Additionally, the Pioneer Crossing Flex Lanes project is underway, which will improve east-west travel along State Route 145. This project is expected to be completed in 2026. The 2100 North connection reportedly cost $621 million and is expected to last through late 2028.
Black Bears [9MAR2026] Every year near the end of winter biologists with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources get up close and personal with wild black bears. Their work provides data that gives a better understanding of the state's bear population and serves to educate the public about the animals living in their backyards. The biologists have been tracking one particular bear with a GPS collar since trapping her this summer. They believe she is about four years old, has a den nearby, and could have cubs. After being sedated they pulled the bear out of her den to give her a quick health checkup. As they did it became clear that her nickname, Tripod, fits her perfectly. The female bear is missing one of her front legs. The reason is unknown, but she's fully grown and able to take care of herself. Biologists checked the den for cubs but there were no signs of any. Had there been they would have been about two months old and would not have been sedated. Cubs or not these yearly den checks are important for understanding the state's black bear population. It's hard to know how many bears are on the landscape. The data they collect can be used to set appropriate hunting limits. Biologists allow others to join the excursion as a form of public education. If the only experience you have with a bear is when it comes into your camp and raids your cooler, it was a bad experience. They come out here and see them in their natural habitat, see what they're doing and how they're living, you get an appreciation for them. You might not love them still, but you can appreciate them.
Glen Canyon NRA [3MAR2026] The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area released a quicksand alert. According to a recent social media post from the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area there is an active quicksand alert throughout the park. The risk is especially high near shorelines and in drainage areas. Even ground that appears to be dry and stable can suddenly give way. They added watch for unstable, shifting, or unusually soft ground, and use caution when entering these areas. Quicksand may occur near wet and loose ground and on soil that appears move, ripple, or subtly vibrate. Slow upward seepage or low drainage areas are prone to becoming unstable and could lead to quicksand. Testing surfaces from a secure position with a tool to see if the soil gives away. You should never test it by stepping on it and using your full weight. If you are caught in quicksand it is important to stay calm and avoid sudden movements adding, panicked motion causes the body to sink deeper and mixes more water into the sediment, reducing buoyancy. You should also lean out to spread out body weight and slowly work your legs upward as this will loosen the suction effect that quicksand can cause. Once the legs are free continue leaning back and use arms or a back-floating motion to inch toward solid ground. Avoid standing upright until fully out. If you can try to find a sturdy object for leverage such as a branch or a trekking pole. You should avoid using another person's hand or foot as leverage, as you could pull the downward. Finally you should call for help if escape is difficult. While quicksand is rarely life-threatening, escaping can lead to fatigue. Emergency responders can provide assistance.
Northern Corridor Project [3MAR2026] The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has to immediately stop construction on the controversial Northern Corridor project, following a preliminary injunction in an ongoing lawsuit. Conserve Southwest Utah and multiple other environmental organizations filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of the Interior, U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last month after BLM approved UDOT's application to start construction on BLM land. UODT previously requested a right-of-way application in order to construct a highway connecting SR-18 and I-15 in Washington County. This highway titled the Northern Corridor Project is meant to accommodate increasing travel demand past 2030. Notably BLM previously approved UDOT's Right-of-Way application for the Northern Corridor Project in 2021. They were subsequently sued by several plaintiffs due to concerns about the project's impact on native tortoise species and its potential to increase wildfires. That lawsuit was remanded back to its respective agencies and the United States Department of the Interior terminated UDOT's Right-of-Way preventing the project from going forward. However BLM has since released new opinions that resulted in a finding of no significant impact and re-approved UDOT's Right-of-Way application. The Northern Corridor project was again set to move forward at which point the plaintiffs filed the lawsuit and sought a preliminary injunction preventing any construction. The United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of the plaintiffs requiring UDOT to immediately halt all construction on the Northern Corridor project. In response to the preliminary injunction Washington County stated that it is disappointed that construction will be paused but it does not mean any final decision has been made yet.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument [3MAR2026] Rep. Celeste Maloy introduced a joint resolution to reject a Biden-era plan for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and return management to a 2020 Trump-era plan that was developed with input from locals. Environmentalists are pushing back. The resolution has the support of all of Utah's Congressional delegates with Sen. Mike Lee sponsoring it in the Senate and Sen. John Curtis, Reps. Blake Moore, Mike Kennedy, and Burgess Owens as cosponsors. This resolution is under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to review and reject federal agency rules and it must pass both chambers of congress by simple majority votes. If passed it would undo a final resource management plan for the monument that was signed by the Bureau of Land Management in January 2025. Lee introduced a Government Accountability Office opinion on the management plan into congressional record which was the first step. Environmentalists criticized his action as beginning the process to "fast-track the destruction" of the monument. In a press release about the resolution, Maloy's office stressed that the monument's footprint would be unchanged and that none of the land would stop being federal land. Maloy and Lee have both made attempts to sell off federal land in Utah within the past year and this resolution has been criticized by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance as an assault on a national monument and a significant escalation in Congress' use of the Congressional Review act. SUWA said that the current plan "sets expectations for how these remarkable public lands will be managed for recreation, camping and outdoor access, collaboration with Tribal Nations, dark night skies, grazing, and other uses," and that the Bureau of Land Management will be prevented from issuing a plan that is substantially the same in the future if this resolution is passed. "These wild public lands are quintessential southern Utah redrock country with stunning geology, irreplaceable cultural resources, unique fossils, and wide-open spaces. All of that is at risk if this effort succeeds and the monument management plan is undone. We intend to move heaven and earth to stop that from happening." This is yet another attempt by Utah politicians to hand over our public lands to industry. Representatives from other environmentalist groups, including the Grand Canyon Trust, the Wilderness Society, NRDC, and the Conservation Lands Foundation also provided statements against the resolution.
University Avenue Bridge [3MAR2026] The Utah Department of Transportation announced that it has hit a major milestone in construction on the University Avenue Bridge in Provo. According to the Utah Department of Transportation demolition of the west side of the University Avenue Bridge is complete bringing the project closer to the rebuilding phase. While the demolition has been completed UDOT still has to finish cleaning up the area. After that is completed they will begin installing bridge supports set to begin. This process will include pile driving in which crews will drive long steel or concrete columns deep into the ground. The piles will rest on stable soil or rock layers below the surface and provides a solid base for the bridge. Additionally UDOT crews will be working on the sewer and storm drains in the area especially during the week of March 9th-15th. This work will be partially conducted overnight on the east frontage road near the bridge.
Warmest Winter On Record [1MAR2026] The 2025-2026 winter season will go down as Salt Lake City's warmest winter on record dating back over 150 years according to the National Weather Service. The NWS announced that Salt Lake City recorded its warmest winter dating back to 1874 when official record-keeping began. The average temperature this winter reached 40.7 degrees Fahrenheit which is 7.6 degrees above normal according to NWS data. For comparison the previous record was set during the 2014/2015 winter season which averaged 38.5 degrees. The third warmest winter on record occurred in 1977/1978 with an average temperature of 38 degrees. Warmer temperatures can directly affect mountain snowpack particularly at mid-elevations. Even when storms arrive the mild temperatures can result in rain instead of snow. Utah's snowpack is closely tied to water supply heading into spring and summer. Low accumulation or earlier melt can influence reservoir levels, irrigation planning, and wildfire risk later in the year. Water managers will continue monitoring snowpack totals and runoff timing in the coming months.
Pioneer Park [28FEB2026] Pioneer Park is getting a makeover and the city broke ground celebrating the start of construction. Plans include a dog park, pickleball courts, basketball court, playground, restrooms, and more. City leaders said it's time to replace aging infrastructure. Pioneer Park was established in 1847; right now a playground, basketball court, and other worn-out amenities sit in the park. The north half of the park will be closed to the public throughout construction which is set to end late 2026. This is an $18 million project funded through a combination of impact fees and voter-supported bond investments proposed by Mayor Erin Mendenhall between 2019 and 2024.
Bryce Canyon National Park [26FEB2026] Mudslides and a rockfall have forced the closure of one of the most popular trails at Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah. The National Park Service said saturated soil due to rapid snowmelt led to the incidents on Wednesday along the Two Bridges Trail, which is now closed until further notice. Because of the closure the popular Navajo Loop Trail is also closed although the Wall Street section remains in its normal winter closure protocols. Park officials said access in and out of the canyon is still available via the Queen's Garden Trail. Park crews will monitor conditions in Bryce Canyon and will assess any hazards.
Jordan River [26FEB2026] Officials with Salt Lake City, the Larry H. Miller company, and other organizations announced a community-driven initiative to restore parts of the Jordan River. The project will involve a one-mile loop of Jordan River at North Temple on the west side of Salt Lake City. This area is known as the Power District, due to the fact that it is home to one of Salt Lake City's key power stations. It has been the focus of a private-public organization partnership that aims to develop the area. The Larry H. Miller Company has been one of private contributors working on this development investing $3.5 billion into the area. Larry H. Miller spokespeople announced plans to restore and revitalize the Jordan riverfront. This project will include improving the water quality reintroducing native vegetation and aquatic life and installing environmental upgrades and new gathering spaces.
Zion National Park [25FEB2026] A new shuttle stop is coming to the small town of Virgin bringing southwest Utah residents and visitors one step closer to Zion National Park. Starting March 1st the SunTrans St George to Zion Shuttle will add a stop in Virgin, a town of about 700 people located along state Route 9, roughly 13 miles from the west entrance of Zion National Park. The cost to ride is $5 each way, whether passengers board in downtown St. George, Hurricane, or Virgin. The Virgin stop will also serve a practical purpose for RV travelers and others with large vehicles. Beginning June 7th the Mount Carmel Highway Tunnel will close to large vehicles, making it more difficult to travel from the west to east side of the park.
Arches National Park [18FEB2026] Visitors at Arches National Park in southeastern Utah will no longer need advanced reservations to enjoy the park and will be allowed to visit whenever they'd like during regular operating hours. Since 2022 the park has been operating on a first-come first-served reservation system between April and September to limit the number of visitors at any one time during popular times. In its announcement that reservations were not needed this year the park stressed that guests should still plan ahead when visiting during weekends and holidays. Although reservations are no longer required, certain locations may be temporarily restricted or closed when parking areas reach capacity and visitors are asked not to wait in roadways for spaces to open. We encourage visitors to arrive early, explore lesser-traveled areas if certain locations are busy and be flexible when enjoying the park.
St George Dinosaur Discovery Site [17FEB2026] Fossil finding tours have returned at the St George Dinosaur Discovery Site. This is your opportunity to be a paleontologist for a day by digging up fossils. The three-hour experience features a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum's fossil prep lab. Afterward participants will head to the quarry to spend two full hours digging up and discovering fossils. At the Substation Quarry Site participants will be briefed on safety and the unique tools that paleontologists use. The fossils at this site are millions of years old and small finds like fish scales may be taken home. Bigger discoveries will remain at the museum for research and preservation. The Fossil Discoveries adventure is open to those 8 years and older. The experience will run on Saturdays and Sundays between March 7th and May 31st 2026.
Colorado River [14FEB2026] The U.S. Department of the Interior said it would be moving forward with its proposed plans to manage the Colorado River after the seven states failed to reach agreement on a framework of a deal. The agency said it could not delay action. :Negotiation efforts have been productive; we have listened to every state's perspective and have narrowed the discussion by identifying key elements and issues necessary for an agreement. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released its alternative proposals for managing the Colorado River last month in an effort to prod the states into reaching some tentative deal. Secretary Burgum summoned the governors of the Colorado River states to Washington DC in an effort to reach an agreement. The states confirmed they had not been able to achieve consensus but would continue negotiating. There is more urgency to cut a deal. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released forecasts showing significantly less water going into Lake Powell (it has declined by 1.5 million acre feet since January). The projected declines as much as 50 feet lower threaten water delivery and power generation for 40 million people across the West. Upper and Lower Basin states have each demanded the other make more cuts to the water they take from the river. That appeared to remain the central disagreement in statements and interviews on Friday when no deal was announced. But the governors of the states said they remain hopeful they can still reach an agreement by the time the current Colorado River compact expires in October.
Great Salt Lake [12FEB2026] A new study finds that dealing with Great Salt Lake dust has trade-offs and ballooning costs. The study published by the University of Utah's Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy lists a number of options from gravel and straw to solar panels to cover the exposed lake bed and how much they could cost. There's also the potential long-term effects of being exposed to components of the dust such as arsenic and other carcinogens. More and more of the Great Salt Lake bed has been exposed as the lake declines. The study said that more than 800 square miles of lake bed are exposed. The exposed lakebed puts public health at risk in the form of dust storms blowing into communities. At present approximately 70 square miles (about 9% of the exposed lakebed) function as active dust hotspots. If protective crusts continue to degrade or groundwater levels decline further, dust-active areas could expand to as much as 187 square miles (approximately 24% of the lakebed).
Zion National Park [11FEB2026] The lottery dates for Zion National Park's 2026 Angels Landing Pilot Permit Program have been announced. The lottery opens four times throughout the year depending upon your hike dates: For hikes between March 1st to May 31st the lottery will open Feb 13th - For hikes between June 1st to Aug 31st the lottery opens April 1st - For hikes between Sep 1st to Nov 30th the lottery opens July 1st - For hikes between Dec 1st to Feb 28th the lottery opens Oct 1st. Everyone who hikes Angels Landing must have a permit. Angel's Landing is a strenuous five-mile roundtrip hike with rapid elevation gains of over 1,400 feet. Most of the hike is in full sun and there are steep drop-offs all along the trail, including a land bridge with 1,000-foot drop-offs on both sides. There are chains for handholds along the most dangerous areas. The national park's shuttle service will begin on March 7th. Guests do not need a reservation to ride the shuttle.
Lagoon Amusement Park [7FEB2026] The announcement of Lagoon Amusement Park's 2026 opening date! The park announced that its official opening day will be March 28th. It will be weekends only for the first phase from 10am to 7pm on Saturdays and from 10-6 on Sundays. In May, Saturdays will extend to 9pm Then starting May 25th it will be open seven days a week with longer hours. Something visitors can look forward to this spring: Lagoon's newest ride, "The Nutcracker" It's a massive swing that will take riders nearly 150 feet into the air. The Nutcracker's exact opening date is not yet set. However the park said visitors can start to see the progress on the ride's namesake: Hans a giant nutcracker statue next to the ride, holding a massive mug of beer from Lagoon's Biergarten.
Red Cliffs Conservation Area [5FEB2026] Conservation groups have filed a lawsuit to block a four-lane highway planned through Utah's Red Cliffs Conservation Area marking the latest legal challenge in a decades-long battle over the controversial Northern Corridor project. The lawsuit targets the Bureau of Land Management's recent approval of the highway between Ivins, St George and Washington City. Six conservation groups serving as plaintiffs argue the BLM's decision violates federal laws protecting endangered species specifically the desert tortoise that inhabits the Red Cliffs Conservation Area. The Northern Corridor has faced a turbulent approval process. The first Trump Administration initially approved the project but President Biden reversed that decision. Late last month the second Trump Administration reapproved the highway plan. This marks the second major lawsuit challenging the project. Conservation groups filed similar legal action in 2021 after the highway's first approval making the same argument that BLM approval violated endangered species protections. Washington County Commissioners and other supporters maintain the highway is essential to accommodate the county's growing population. They argue the project represents a balanced compromise that includes turtle tunnels and protections for another tortoise habitat in Moe's Valley to the southwest. They also say the initial act that created the Red Cliffs Conservation Area in 2009 included the highway.
Pine Valley Recreation Area [4FEB2026] Months after the devastating Forsyth fire and subsequent flooding, Pine Valley Recreation Area is sharing updates on its rebuilding process. June 2025's Forsyth fire was one of Utah's largest and most destructive wildfires of the year burning over 15,000 acres and destroying 17 homes over the course of a month. In October the burn scar left behind led to severe flooding in the area. The disasters ravaged Pine Valley Recreation Area. Between reconstructing the reservoir dam clearing hazardous trees and seeding new ones and rehabilitating the campground. The U.S. Forest Service Dixie National Forest officials said the rebuild would start in 2026 and likely last through the year. Robert Hardy of the Pine Valley Fire Department spoke about the status of reconstruction. He said the flooding last fall overflowed the dam, damaging it and prompting officials to drain the reservoir as part of long-term reconstruction. While funding has been secured to reconstruct the dam, there's still much more work to be done before the reservoir is back to normal. There's a lot of sediment here that needs to come out. In the meantime crews have been making improvements to the surrounding area including upgrading drainage and culverts. They have also been reseeding meadows and removing problematic foliage. While there is no official reopening date officials say the campground will remain closed through 2026 until that work is finished.
Bald Eagles [4FEB2026] Bald eagles, the noble and iconic symbol of freedom are back in Utah during their annual migration season. It's always a thrill when you see them maybe off in the distance and you can get your camera out and film them. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources says February is typically the best time to see bald eagles in Utah as they come through looking for food and escaping colder conditions further north. They're really iconic and really identifiable because of that large white head. They are large and they've got a pretty big wingspan up to 7 feet. Easily identifiable to see. Now is prime time migration season for the national bird and there are several places you can find them. There is a lot of bird watchers that come out and are excited and try to go to these key points... Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, Weber River, Green River, Midview Reservoir, Fountain Green State Fish Hatchery, Wales Reservoir, Sanpitch River, Utah Lake, Provo River Delta, Huntington State Park, and along the Colorado River north of Moab.
Utah Snow Survey [2FEB2026] Bare hillsides and patchy snow in Parleys Canyon tell the story before the numbers even do: Utah's snowpack has dropped into uncharted territory and not the good kind. New data from the Utah Snow Survey shows statewide snowpack has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded for this point in the season. By the end of January average snow water equivalent dipped below the previous record low marking the worst start since the SNOTEL monitoring era began in 1980. Nearly one-third of Utah's snow-monitoring sites are now reporting their worst or snowpack on record. Several major river basins including the Weber/Ogden and Provo/Utah Lake regions have already set new lows for late January. What's making matters worse isn't just how low snowpack is it's how far behind normal Utah continues to fall. Snowpack typically builds steadily through February and March but this year that curve has flattened out widening the gap between current conditions and average levels with each passing day. The outlook has water managers keeping a close eye on spring and summer. Along the Wasatch Front reservoirs are already running about 10% below normal for this time of year and expectations for spring runoff are shrinking. Shazelle Terry, chief operating officer for the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, says they're not expecting reservoirs to fill this year. With roughly two months left in the typical snow season and every storm still matters.
Gunlock Reservoir [1FEB2026] As much of Utah is experiencing low snowpack, Gunlock Reservoir in Southern Utah remains at around 100% capacity. Statewide snowpack in Utah has hit a historic low and the resulting dry conditions have many experts concerned for the future of the state's water resources. According to Jordan Clayton with the NRCS-Utah Snow Survey, 95% of water used in Utah comes from snowpack. However some parts of Southern Utah are reportedly hopeful saying their reservoirs appear to be in good shape. Gunlock Reservoir for one is about 100% full while statewide reservoirs average 41% of their capacity. The water at Gunlock Reservoir is primarily used for irrigation purposes rather than drinking water.
Sundance Film Festival [31JAN2026] While walking along Main Street in Park City many people trying to enjoy the last moments of the Sundance Film Festival. Utah's robust film industry has grown far beyond one event and cultivated a thriving ecosystem of talent, infrastructure, and incentives that will continue to attract filmmakers and productions to Utah. Park City Mayor Ryan Dickey released many remarks. "As we say goodbye to Sundance we also look ahead to new cultural opportunities continued support for the arts and preparing responsibly for the 2034 Winter Olympics."
Earthquake Fault Lines [27JAN2026] A new report shows that there are even more fault lines through central Utah than previously thought and the report is calling it a game changer. A new technology called Lidar which is basically data collected from radar on an airplane flying above, mapped out the six-county region in the central part of the state. The report centered around Richfield exposing the risk in the rural regions that include Sanpete, Millard and Sevier counties. A lot of these cross major transportation corridors and infrastructure lines. Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis suggests local residents download a new app just launched in Sevier County that will send push notifications and contact you in case of an emergency because the best line of defense is thinking about a potential disaster and having a plan ahead of time. Another website, beready.utah.gov is another great resource when it comes to preparedness. Experts also suggest having an emergency kit ready to grab and a plan in place for you and your family.
Cloud Seeding Study [17JAN2026] For decades cloud seeding has been part of Utah's strategy to stretch its water supply. This winter scientists are taking a much closer look at whether the practice actually delivers measurable results. Cloud seeding involves pumping silver iodide into the atmosphere during a storm to generate a little more precipitation. Researchers from the University of Utah and Utah State University are leading the largest cloud seeding research effort ever conducted in the state, focusing on winter storms over the northern Wasatch Mountains. The goal is to better understand how cloud seeding affects snowfall and spring runoff. The scope of the project is unprecedented for Utah. Scientists say it is the biggest field campaign to study mountain precipitation in the state in at least two decades and possibly the largest ever. Dozens of specialized instruments are operating around the clock across the northern Wasatch. Many are far more advanced than typical weather sensors and are designed to analyze the internal structure of winter storms. Some systems use laser-based technology to examine cloud properties, including liquid water content and storm evolution. During seeded storms, researchers are closely examining radar data and precipitation patterns to determine whether cloud seeding changes storm structure or increases snowfall totals. The study follows a major expansion of Utah's cloud seeding program after the Great Salt Lake reached its lowest level on record in 2022. State leaders increased funding for cloud seeding, research, and infrastructure as part of a broader response to long-term water shortages. Researchers are also testing new drone technology that could allow for more precise cloud seeding by flying directly into specific areas of winter storms. Data collection will continue through spring runoff and scientists say the findings could have benefits beyond cloud seeding. The research may improve mountain weather forecasting and snowfall predictions, including for future major events like the 2034 Winter Olympics. Scientists expect at least two years of analysis before making final conclusions. Early findings however could help guide Utah's water management decisions for years to come.
Colorado River [17JAN2026] The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released its proposed plan for managing the Colorado River if the states along the river fail to strike a deal. The highly-anticipated plan offers a range of alternatives for operations at Lake Powell and Lake Mead which would impact water supplies for more than 40 million people in the western United States. The proposals range from no action to a supply-driven option that could lead to water shortages for Utah and other states. It will incorporate elements or variations of these five alternatives and will be fully analyzed in the Final EIS enabling the sustainable and effective management of the Colorado River. The plan could force states to strike a bargain more quickly. The current agreements between the states along the Colorado River expire later this year. The Authority looks forward to carefully reviewing the draft and continuing to work with our Basin State partners, water users, Tribes, and the Bureau of Reclamation to help ensure future operations protect Utah water users, support the environment and reflect Utah's priorities. Other states are likely to adopt a similar approach. The tense closed-door negotiations for the massively important water supply have dragged on for years now. Upper Basin states accuse Lower Basin states of taking too much water while the Lower Basin has demanded the Upper Basin make more cuts than they've been willing to offer.
Utah's Water Problems [7JAN2026] Record warm temperatures and rain falling in the valleys instead of snow have helped the rain gauges across much of the state. Lawns are green and for January some of us are talking about mowing instead of shoveling. But when you look up in the mountains, the story changes fast as snowpack numbers are still well below average and experts say all that rain falling right now may actually be setting us up for water problems later this year. Much of Utah has picked up a healthy amount of precipitation this water-year but much of it has fallen as rain instead of snow. While that helps the numbers on paper it's not the kind of water the state relies on heading into spring and summer. Snow acts like a natural reservoir releasing water slowly as temperatures warm. On the other hand rain runs off quickly or soaks in before it can be stored. Recent storms haven't helped much bringing rain across elevations that would normally be building snowpack. Utah has seen worse years up to this point in the past so there is still time for improvement but experts say the longer rain replaces snow, the harder it becomes to recover.
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