The Utah Division of Water Resources is pleased to announce the completion of the latest in the series of reports under the title of “Utah State Water Plan.” The report, entitled Drought in Utah: Learning from the Past -- Preparing for the Future, is a ground-breaking document.  For the first time, a comprehensive view of drought in Utah has been provided under the same cover. The document is expected to be available on line in April.

The report addresses several important issues related to drought. It: (1) emphasizes the significance of drought and its impacts to society from a historical perspective and how projected growth can potentially make Utah more vulnerable; (2) warns about the likelihood of more severe and longer-term droughts in the future based on reconstructed climate and proxy records as well as climate change; (3) explores various strategies to mitigate, prepare for and respond to future drought events; and (4) makes recommendations for future action at the state and local level.

Put simply, the report is a word of warning about drought and a strategy for mitigation and preparedness.

The Utah Division of Water Resources hopes that this report will encourage water suppliers in the state to fully assess their vulnerability to drought and better prepare for future events.

Back to DroughtScape Spring 2007