David Jackson/Park Record
Utah’s snowpack was breaking records nine months ago, but now winter might feel like it’s off to a slow start even though snowfall in our area has been right about average so far.
But there’s hardly been any snow lately, and unseasonably warm temperatures have started melting what had accumulated. There are still around 100 days until the snowpack typically reaches its peak in April, and state water officials said they’re “planning for all scenarios.”
Across Utah, the overall snow water equivalent, or the amount of water available in the snow, is about 15% below the median for this time of year — though the number varies greatly across the state, according to Laura Haskell, an engineer with the Utah Division of Water Resources.
The Escalante River in southern Utah is around 70% below the median while Bear River at the state’s northeastern border is at 8% above the median.
But the Weber-Ogden basin, which includes Summit County, was around 101% of normal as of Wednesday. That means the snowpack in Summit County is right on the average based on the median data from 1991 to 2020.
“We have a ways to go. It’s been a little bit of a disappointing start to our snowpack. … We are seeing lower than average snow than typical but it appears worse because we’re coming off of last year. It’s a little bit low. Depending on where you live in the state it could be quite a bit low. So compared to last year, it seems a bit more pronounced,” Haskell said.
Some Parkites and tourists have griped about a lackluster early start to winter, it’s actually been a pretty typical season at Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort. Still, resort officials are preparing for the unknown.
Shaydar Edelmann, the vice president of mountain operations at Park City Mountain, said weather is a “critical variable in our business.” The resort’s lift openings to date are close to historical norms and around 2,200 acres of terrain is open from Sun Peak to the southern boundary since opening day on Nov. 17.
The resort has invested in equipment, such as a large, modernized snowmaking system, to manage inconsistencies from season to season, according to Edelmann.
“Our early season guests are a mix of locals, who understand how weather variability can affect the ski and snowboard conditions, and out-of-town visitors, who are excited to be in a big Western mountain environment,” said Deirdra Walsh, the resort’s vice president and chief operating officer. “For both groups, as well as for our employees, we do our best to create outstanding and memorable experiences that will keep them coming back to the mountains. As we go into this holiday season, we look forward to welcoming holiday guests from across the country and around the world.”
Deer Valley opened earlier this month and senior communications manager Christine Spinkston said the team has been working hard to set the stage for an amazing season. The resort is currently at pace to be above average.
“Our mountain team is putting in a lot of effort, actively planning, adapting and staying vigilant. We’re staying positive with our snow dances,” she said. “We’re determined to provide a great experience for our guests and look forward to more snow opening up additional terrain for everyone to enjoy.”
State water experts are expecting there to be stark differences throughout Utah as the year progresses. The northern portion has received a about an average amount of snow, while the southern part is falling behind, meaning the water situation this summer could be very different depending on where someone lives.
Haskell said Utah was well positioned at the start of the water year, which began in October and runs through September, because of the historic snowfall last winter.
The state broke a 40-year snow record in March with the season ultimately peaking at around 30 inches of snow water equivalent. The snowpack helped keep soil moisture high and reservoirs full throughout the summer, with the benefits carrying over into the fall.
Soil moisture is high and it will be locked in place once the ground freezes. This helps ensure runoff is effective by allowing the melted snow to move toward reservoirs instead of underground.
Reservoir storage is also 20% above normal for this time of year. The statewide average is around 78% full. Levels aren’t expected to change much until the spring.
Jordanelle Reservoir was around 82% full as of this week while Rockport Reservoir was at 74%. Echo Reservoir was the highest at 89% full and the Smith and Morehouse Reservoir was the lowest at 55%.
Haskell said it’s typical for Smith and Morehouse to be emptier than its neighbors. Storage can vary depending on factors such as water rights, whether a reservoir is high or low priority and where the inflow is coming from.
The 2022-23 snow season made a huge difference to the state’s reservoirs, which ended the water year fuller than normal. Storage was around 86% in July, compared to 59% the previous summer. It averages around 72% during a typical year.
“We never expected our reservoirs to recover in a single year, and they recovered and went above where they typically would be,” Haskell said. “It was a complete change from below average (in 2022) to above average (in 2023).”
A Dec. 12 map of Utah’s drought showed moderate drought, the least intense category, affecting 9% of the state compared to this time last year when 90% of the state was in a severe drought. However, dry conditions have been creeping up across the state with a new map released this week showing a 4% increase in the affected areas.
Still, Haskell said it would take more than one bad winter to reverse the positive impacts of last year. She said Utahns are making progress despite living in one of the top five driest states. The state Legislature has been investing in water conservation and more people are dedicated to changing their habits.
Water experts will continue to monitor the snow totals and prepare for conditions to change.
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Pretty average winter so far in Park City, though far off last year; southern Utah struggling - The Park Record
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