Governor Spencer J. Cox issued an executive order declaring a statewide state of emergency Thursday following the warmest winter on record and the lowest snowpack levels ever recorded in Utah.
Severe drought conditions across Utah
The declaration comes as Utah's snowpack peaked approximately three weeks early and reached its lowest level since 1930, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources. As of May 2026, all 29 counties in the state are experiencing severe drought, with 22 counties facing extreme drought conditions as defined by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Impact on state water supply
Governor Cox noted that snowpack provides 95% of the state's water supply and warned that the winter's supply fell far short of necessary levels. While reservoir storage remains at 70% capacity due to management during previous wet years, Cox said those reserves are being drawn down faster than desired.
Activation of emergency response plans
The executive order activates the state Emergency Operations Plan and directs the state Drought Response Committee to review drought-related hardships and recommend actions. The committee is co-chaired by Kris Hamlet, director of the Utah Division of Emergency Management, and Joel Ferry, executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources.
Recommended water conservation measures
The Utah Division of Water Resources is urging residents to implement water-saving measures such as fixing leaks, reducing shower times by at least one minute, and running full loads in dishwashers and washing machines. The state also offers rebates of up to $100 for purchasing smart irrigation controllers or implementing water-wise landscaping.
