The Utah Department of Natural Resources participated in a National Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol to honor fallen law enforcement officers, even as the agency continues to manage record-low snowpack and statewide drought conditions.
During a ceremony on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol marking the end of Police Week, representatives from the Department of Natural Resources joined several other Utah agencies to support the families of Tremonton-Garland Police Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada. As KSL News reported, the service brought together thousands of attendees to remember 191 officers killed in the line of duty over the past year.
Lt. Skyler Gailey with the Tremonton-Garland Police Department noted that the ceremony provided closure for the families of Sorensen and Estrada. The memorial service included remarks from national leaders, including Vice President JD Vance, and featured a moment where families placed flowers on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
While agency staff were in Washington for memorial services, the Utah Division of Water Resources issued an update March 19, 2026, stating that the state's snowpack is at its lowest on record and peaked three weeks early. The Division of Water Resources reported that the state peak reached 8.4 inches on March 9, roughly half of the typical volume received by early April.
The Department of Natural Resources is actively promoting water-saving initiatives to combat current drought conditions, which affect 98% of the state. According to the Division of Water Resources, the department continues to promote programs such as the Agricultural Water Optimization Program for farmers and SlowtheFlow.org for residents to help Utahns become more drought-resilient.
Drought coordinator Laura Haskell of the Utah Division of Water Resources urged local water providers and communities to review drought contingency plans. The agency noted that reservoir storage currently averages 68% full, a decrease from the 80% recorded last year.
