Latest news with #NaturalResourcesConservationService
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Daily fishing limit increased at Utah reservoir over low water levels
Utah wildlife managers have issued an emergency change to the state's fishing guidebook, doubling the daily number of trout an angler can take from a reservoir in northeast Utah as its levels slip. Anglers are now able to keep up to eight trout of any species every day at Crouse Reservoir, up from the previous daily limit of four, through an emergency order that Utah Division of Wildlife Resources deputy director Michael Canning authorized on Tuesday. The order remains in effect through the end of this year. 'This emergency change will allow the public to harvest more fish from the reservoir so they can be used and not wasted as water levels continue to decline this summer,' Canning said in a statement. 'Increased harvest will hopefully improve the survival of any remaining fish, as well.' Crouse Reservoir, located about 30 miles northeast of Vernal near the Uintah-Daggett county border, is often filled with rainbow, tiger and brown trout. While many reservoirs in the area are at least 60% full, Crouse Reservoir struggled from a below-normal snowpack, said DWR spokeswoman Faith Heaton Jolley. It's closest to the Northeastern Uintas and Yampa-White-Little Snake snowpack basins in Utah and Colorado, respectively, which peaked at approximately 83% to 89% of the region's median average, per Natural Resources Conservation Service data. Some of the localized sites closest to Crouse Reservoir fared worse than that. Most of the region's snowpack collection melted prematurely, as well, which can reduce the efficiency of the snowpack runoff. The reservoir currently holds about 350 acre-feet of water, which is about 20% of its full capacity of 1,750 acre-feet, according to the Utah Division of Water Rights. Senior water rights dictate that most of what's left will go toward the Pot Creek drainage downstream, state wildlife officials said. They add that anglers looking to catch trout should use a boat or small watercraft out on the water because thick vegetation along its shoreline could make access difficult otherwise.
CBS News
28-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
A fatal flood prompted Kaufman County dam repairs. Then, the federal government froze funding.
The rain that fell in October 2023 inundated Kaufman County. It was still dark when 23-year-old Angel McKnight took off to check on loved ones. The water had reached the top of a bridge along FM1390, and as she drove across it, a passing car sent a wave of water crashing toward her, sweeping her off the road. She called her aunt, Joy Collins. "She called me Mama. 'Mama, I'm stuck in a ditch,' and she asked me about a tow truck," said Joy Collins. "I told her, 'Baby, if you're stuck, get off the phone with me and call 911.'" That 911 call captured McKnight's final moments. "Okay, I'm trying to get out of the car. It's quite literally filling up as we speak… yeah, filling up…" she can be heard saying before the call abruptly disconnects. Her car had fallen into 12' high flood waters rushing through the hidden underpass below the bridge. She was one of two drivers who died in the floods that morning. Family members said it took nearly 12 hours to find her body. "I can't imagine the fear that she went through by herself,' said Joy Collins. Six months later, Kaufman County began work to replace a nearby dam. Rated "high hazard" by the state, the dam had been overwhelmed by the torrential rain and failed to hold back the flooding that claimed two lives that October. The $14 million renovation, though, is more than Kaufman County can afford, which is why it relies on federal and state funding. The US Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service agreed to reimburse the county for 65% of the cost. The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board agreed to cover the remaining 35%. In February, though, as work was already well underway, the NRCS announced it was suddenly "unable to make payments." The funding, it seems, had become a political target of the new White House administration. Money for the dam renovation had come from the $1 trillion authorized by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a key piece of President Biden's domestic agenda. Trump administration pauses funds On President Trump's first day in office, he signed an executive order to "immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through… the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." "I thought maybe for a month or two they'd stop the payments, review and see that this is a critical infrastructure project, and then start back up," said Kaufman County Emergency Management Director Steve Howie. For months, he said, the state stepped in to cover the difference. By April, though, the TSSWCB reported it was owed $4,256,998 after it said the federal government "simply stopped paying the bills" for various infrastructure projects. It notified Kaufman County that if there was no resolution by May 31, it would need to find "other sources of funding" or "shut down the construction". "I'm thinking, this is nuts. They're putting people's lives in danger, and we can't be doing that," said Howie. Howie said the county would never have begun construction if it didn't think it had the funding secured to get the job done. "It's more dangerous now because literally the dam that was in place, even though it was high hazard, was not in any imminent state of breach," said Howie. "If we get into the heavy rainfall where we get six or more inches, this thing could overtop and going downstream that way, there's about 75 homes, between 125 and 160 people whose lives will be in danger." In mid-April, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to resume payments, and by early May, the state told us reimbursements had begun. Howie still worries that the funding could be jeopardized by federal spending cuts. The White House recently released a proposed budget that, among other things, calls for cancelling over $15 billion in what it calls "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act green new scam funds." "While I don't disagree with what they're trying to do to eliminate fraud and waste, they're not looking at the trickle down and what it's doing to the local jurisdictions," said Howie. "It seems like we're fighting an endless battle," said Joy Collins. "Something needs to happen so that nobody else loses their mother, father, brother, sister," Jamie Collins, McKnight's mother and Joy Collins' twin sister, said just after McKnight's death. Jamie Collins had terminal cancer and died last December, having spent the last year of her life looking for ways to improve FM1390. "Jamie was trying to get this safe for other people. Of course, it hurt her. That was her only daughter. She just did the best she could. In pain all the time," said younger sister, Danna Williams. The sisters still hope to see the problem resolved and said there's no sense withholding funds for a project that could save lives. "I hope nothing like this happens to your family member because of ignorance like this," said Joy Collins.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah: Up to $2 million in drought relief for farmers
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food announced on Tuesday the availability of low-interest loans for agricultural producers impacted by drought through the Emergency Disaster Relief Loan program. Up to $2 million is available for impacted agricultural producers in 17 counties widely expected to suffer the worst effects. In April, Gov. Spencer Cox issued a state of emergency due to ongoing drought in the following counties: Beaver, Carbon, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Tooele, Uintah, Washington and Wayne. The declaration recognizes the significant challenges the drought presents to Utah's agricultural economy and rural communities. Eligible producers in those counties may apply for relief loans of up to $100,000 per entity; up to $2 million total is available through the program. The loans are low-interest, seven year loans with no interest for the first two years, and 2.75% thereafter. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 23. 'Utah's agricultural producers are on the front lines of drought impacts, facing difficult decisions as water scarcity threatens crops, livestock, and long-term viability,' said Agricultural Commissioner Kelly Pehrson. 'We recognize the tremendous strain drought places on farm families and rural communities, and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is committed to doing everything we can to help. This loan program is just one of the tools we're using to support producers through this crisis and keep our agricultural economy strong,' he added. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 93% of Utah is abnormally dry. Just over 42% of the state is already classified as suffering from severe drought, while southwest Utah is in extreme drought. A recent report outlining the water supply outlook for Utah noted the precarious conditions playing out in that region. Soil moisture values in that area are breaking records for dryness, according to the Utah Snow Survey with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Peak runoff forecasts are predicted to be in the bottom 15th percentile, if not record-setting. Despite resilient reservoir supply conditions, the agency said it remains 'very' concerned about the water supply outlook in the St. George area due to these factors. The area, in fact, is the driest it's been since the state first started taking records in 1895. Interested applicants should visit review program guidelines and application materials. UDAF encourages all producers to also contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office to explore other federal drought assistance options. More drought resources are available at:
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Utah's reservoir outlook: Why conserving water is key
COALVILLE, Utah () — Water resources this year could become very slim in parts of the state plagued with record low snowpack levels, while other parts could be breathing a sigh of relief. Echo Reservoir is sitting at 99.5% capacity. Currently, Utah ranks second in the West for overall storage capacity, just behind Oregon. Jordan Clayton, Supervisor of the Utah Snow Survey with Natural Resources Conservation Service, says Utah is in a good spot. 'Central Utah and the Wasatch Front are very close to full—if not already full—at many of our reservoirs, including large ones like Echo,' Clayton said. Utah's reservoirs (excluding Lake Powell) right now are averaging about 86% capacity—a strong number for this time of year. Remains found in Salt Lake confirmed to be University of Utah student who disappeared in 1973 'They support agriculture, municipal water, industry—pretty much everything,' Clayton added. 'But we are concerned, particularly in southern Utah.' Southern Utah's record low snowpack season has led to severe and extreme drought conditions for Southwest Utah. And their reservoirs have likely already seen peak runoff for this year. Candice Hasenyager, Director of the Utah Division of Water Resources, says water conservation is key right now, no matter where in the State we live. 'If we're not in drought, we're preparing for the next one. And if we have a hot, dry summer in northern Utah, that can really diminish our water supply. So using our water wisely is always the right thing to do,' Hasenyager added. Water resource managers for Echo Reservoir say the reservoir was designed to be a one year supply reservoir. So it's levels fluctuate drastically each year but don't expect it to spill this year. Utah's reservoir outlook: Why conserving water is key Salt Lake City Library to celebrate rooftop's reopening with all-ages party Fetterman on reported health concerns: Former staffers have a 'bizarre grudge' Lingering moisture allows for scattered showers, thunderstorms for some Lawmakers question RFK Jr about cuts Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
The shape of Utah's water supply heading into the summer months
Utah's snowpack, which reached its peak late in March, suffered rapid depletion in April in most basins in the state to well-below normal precipitation. This culminates in a spring runoff that does not spin a good outcome. 'Resultingly, the water supply forecasts issued in this report predict substantially lower runoff volumes than those from last month,' according to the latest Utah Water Supply Outlook report issued this week by the Utah Snow Survey of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The report said as of May 1, Utah's statewide snow water equivalent (SWE) was 64% of normal (39% lower than last year's May 1 value, and a 28% drop from last month) Utah's fickle weather has many residents concerned. A poll released earlier this year said slightly less than half of Utahns seem to believe the state has enough water to meet our needs today, but 57% doubt that we will have enough water 20 years from now, according to a new study of Utahns' perceptions and priorities regarding water. The study released in April and was conducted by Envision Utah in partnership with Utah Water Ways, the Utah Division of Water Resources and the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner. Interestingly, 9 out of 10 respondents believe that they use less water than the average household, but 41% feel guilty for the amount of water they use on their landscaping. They also erroneously believed that more water is used statewide on indoor uses (like showering or washing dishes) than on outdoor irrigation and landscaping. At the time, Jason Brown, executive vice president of communications and education at Envision Utah, said a surprise takeaway from the survey is the worry by Utah residents that there will not be enough water to meet demand 20 years from now. 'To be honest, from a water conservation perspective, we were a little bit relieved that there's that much concern about the future because our water does sort of cycle from year to year, where one year we have a really dry year, we don't have a ton of snowpack, and then, you know, the next year we might have a lot more. It's easy to maybe get dismissive and say, 'You know what? It's going to be just fine.'' The latest numbers released in the NRCS report this week underscore the disparities that happen in how Mother Nature treats Utah when it comes to water. It shows: Extremely poor snowmelt runoff is forecasted for southern Utah, while northern Utah forecasts are more optimistic. Values range from 7% to 35% of average for the Southeastern Utah, Escalante-Paria, and Southwestern Utah regions, with the Upper Sevier only slightly better. Farther north, the Price-San Rafael and Duchesne basins have snowmelt runoff predictions in the 50% to 82% of average. Closer to the Wasatch Front, the forecast numbers vary widely; from as low as 28% of average for West Canyon Creek near Cedar Fort to as high as 93% of average for the Provo River at Woodland. Second only to Oregon, Utah is in the best overall condition for reservoir storage in the West, sitting at 83% of average, down only 4% from last year. While intermittent rainstorms this month have helped to delay the need for irrigation, the NRCS and other water watchers stress that conservation is vital to keep reservoir storage as stable as possible so there is enough carryover for next year. Michael Sanchez, spokesman for the Utah Division of Water Resources, said it is important for people to be vigilant. 'Conservation will be key as we move into summer. We do have a strong reservoir storage kind of throughout the state, but southern Utah is still struggling,' he said. Sanchez mentioned the drought declaration Utah Gov. Spencer Cox issued last month for 17 counties, stressing the need for conservation and the wise use of water. 'We just want to make sure everyone is still taking that conservation mindset to heart and still still using water as wisely as they can,' Sanchez said. The division has a useful tool on its website advising residents of the amount of water they for landscaping given a specific area's condition. .
