Utah Water Crisis Deepens: Snowpack Hits Record Low, Threatening 95% of State's Water Supply

Utah faces a challenging start to 2026 with a statewide snow drought gripping the region halfway through the typical snow season. KUER reports that snowpack hit a record low in early February at 5.1 inches of snow water equivalent, the lowest for any February on record, threatening 95 percent of the states water supply and stressing reservoirs already in deficit from 2025. Lake Powell sits at just 26 percent full amid deadlocked Colorado River negotiations, prompting Governor Spencer Cox to again urge Utahns to pray for precipitation as forecasts predict below-average snow through spring.

In politics, Governor Cox signed the first 10 bills of the legislative session into law, including nine budget measures and S.B. 134, which adds two justices to the Utah Supreme Court, two to the Court of Appeals, and one to several district courts, according to KUTV. Tension rises as Republican Congress members Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens sued to block new U.S. House districts drawn by a state judge, arguing courts overstep legislative redistricting authority under the U.S. and Utah Constitutions. The Utah State Bar has warned against lawmakers aggressive moves to reshape courts.

The economy surges with venture capital momentum. Utah Business highlights Zanskar raising 115 million dollars in Series C funding for climate solutions, 401GO securing 33 million dollars for retirement infrastructure, and other deals like Pronto, Paramify, DiversiFi.ai, and Microvascular Therapeutics attracting millions across tech, AI, logistics, and life sciences. Zelis acquired Rivet, boosting healthcare tech M&A.

Higher education advances with base budget approvals in S.B. 1 and capital projects for institutions like Salt Lake Community College and Utah State University, per the Utah System of Higher Education update. Community efforts include infrastructure relocations and proposals for regional alignments and performance funding.

Looking Ahead, watch for ongoing legislative debates on higher education reforms, potential snow recovery in mid-February, and the March 13 congressional filing deadline amid redistricting fights.

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