Utah State Water Plan
Summary
The Utah state water plan was prepared by the Division of Water Resources.
There exists a State Water Plan Coordinating Committee comprised of members from: Department of
Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights, Division of Parks and Recreation, Division of Wildlife
Resources, Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Drinking Water, Division of Water Quality,
Department of Agriculture and Food, Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, Division of
Comprehensive Emergency Management, Utah Water Research Laboratory.
State water planning began in 1963 at the direction of the Utah Legislature. Additional legislation in
1984 and 1985 lead to an interagency planning team. The 1990 Utah State Water Plan developed a set
of guiding principles. This document provided a basis for more detailed planning for the eleven
hydrologic river basis that cover Utah.” These river basin plans inventory basin water supplies, provide
present and future water use information, and address problems and issues facing local water resources
stakeholders.”
Statewide plan updated in Utah’s Water Resources Planning for the Future, May 2001.
“The State Water Plan is an ongoing process to establish and implement the state's policy on water
management. Agriculture, municipal and industrial water, pollution control, recreation, wildlife, flood
control, and drought response are all recognized as important components. To be complete, this plan
must give direction for moving water supplies to points of demand while it encourages system
developers and users to be good stewards of the state's natural resources.”
WATER SUPPLY AND USE
“The goal of state water planning is to provide water to meet the changing needs of present and future
generations. Since high-quality water is becoming scarce and more expensive, an important leadership
role must be played by the state's elected officials.”
“Utah's policy makers must also decide if water will be used as a growth management tool. This plan
assumes it will not.”
Plan addresses surface water, ground water, and available water supply.
Plan looks specifically at water use trends and projections. “In most areas, water will not be a limiting
factor of population growth .… in most places water could be made available if the necessary water
transfers, agreements and infrastructure were in place.”
Water use for agriculture, municipal and industrial, environment and recreation are all mentioned.
MANAGEMENT
“There are times when management decisions involve conflicts. These include demands in excess of
supplies, water quality degradation, and recreational and environmental values. to efficiently manage
water, existing and new technologies need to be utilized along with widespread conservation
programs.”
“Storage reservoirs can reduce streamflow fluctuations and provide late season water supplies.”
“The development and use of surface water and groundwater supplies is by different water right
owners. The conjunctive use of these water supplies is seldom encouraged.”
“Measurement of streamflows and reservoir storage are essential to good management.”
“Water resources management can be enhanced in existing and future developments by incorporating
uses for more than one purpose.”
WATER CONSERVATION
“In order to receive the full benefits of water conservation, Utah needs to implement water
conservation measures and programs now, rather than wait for a crisis. Local water planners and
managers need to customize their water conservation objectives to local needs and circumstances.”
There are nine conservation related issues: (1) Water supply efficiency; (2) dual water systems; (3)
irrigation water development and management; (4) home and municipal water savings; (5) pricing; (6)
water reuse; (7) landscaping; (8) water supply timing; and (9) water education.”
WATER TRANSFERS AND EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF DEVELOPED SUPPLIES
“Six policy issues need to be resolved. These are: (1) Water rights transfers; (2) federal claims of
reserved rights; (3) water rights enforcement; (4) underground injection control program; (5) stream
channel alterations; and (6) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission policies.”
“There is a question of the need for administrative controls to restrict transfer of large blocks of water.
The current practices within the market place seem to adequately handle these transfers.”
“Reserved water rights on federal and Indian lands are not fully defined or established under state water
law. These claimed rights could impact existing water use and future water development.”
“Currently, when a water use is illegally expanded, court action is required. This can be cumbersome and
consuming. The State Engineer should seek legislation to strengthen and streamline enforcement
procedures."
“The Bureau of Water Pollution Control and the Division of Water Rights should continue to cooperate
on geothermal injection control. Water quality issues of injection projects should continue to be
assessed, and where warranted, increased regulatory requirements should be implemented. Water
Quality should not be sacrificed for water quantity."
“The Division of Water Rights should expand monitoring and enforcement capabilities for the stream
channel alteration program and implement a statewide education program.”
“Utah must continue, in cooperation with the other Western states to resist actions by FERC that
supersede state law. This includes closer federal/state communication and coordination, negotiation,
litigation, and Congressional involvement, if necessary."
WATER DEVELOPMENT
“The Utah Board of Water Resources through the Division of Water Resources and its staff, provides
financial and technical assistance to guide and direct the state's water resources program. This includes
assistance through three revolving fund programs, basin or areawide planning, data collection and
inventories, and other specialized programs.”
“There are four agricultural, water-related issues to be addressed. These are: (1) Irrigation water
development and management; (2) competition for agricultural land and water; (3) agricultural-induced
nonpoint pollution; and (4) use of saved water.”
“Protection of drinking water supplies is a primary concern. An equal level of protection is not afforded
to small communities as is available in more populated areas.”
“Drinking water sources established early in the state's history are not always adequately protected.
Protection zones need to be established to insure high quality water.”
“There are five water pollution control issues. These are: (1) Funding of wastewater treatment facilities;
(2) water quality antidegradation policy and process; (3) water quality in major impoundments; (4)
groundwater quality protection strategy; and (5) water quality management plans.”
“Eight policy issues regarding floodwater control and management, and disaster, emergency, and
drought response are addressed. These are: (1) Flood prevention and floodwater control; (2) state
buildings in flood plains; (3) flood plain regulation; (4) lake flood plain regulation; (5) planning for
disaster mitigation of water supplies; (6) disaster response and recovery; (7) public awareness of
disaster program availability; and (8) state drought response plan.”
Six issues related to fisheries and water-related wildlife. These area: “(1) Continuing loss of habitat; (2)
protection of stream resources; (3) stream channel integrity and function; (4) reservoir construction
impacts; (5) water delivery systems and wildlife conflicts; and (6) wetlands protection strategy.”
Three issues related to water based recreation: ”(1) Rivers assessment; (2) riverway enhancement
program funding; and (3) interagency coordination for recreation.”
“Six issues relating to industrial water use. These are: (1) Coordination in water resources planning; (2)
existing regulatory authorities for industrial uses; (3) relationship of industrial water use to waste
treatment; (4) cooling water; (5) energy resources development; and (6) industrial development.”
three issues related to groundwater: “(1) Groundwater and surface water conjunctive use; (2)
groundwater mining; and (3) artificial groundwater recharge.”
(1) Surface water and gorundwater supplies are usually developed by different entities. This
does not utilize the advantages of conjunctive use. Water suppliers, administrators, and users
should be encouraged to manage groundwater reservoirs in conjunction with surface water
supplies with technical support from the Division of Water Rights."
WATER QUALITY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Water quality concerns – TMDL, preservations and restoration of riparian and flood plain corridors,
storm water discharge permitting, nutrient loading, concentrated animal feedlot operations, septic tank
densities.
Management of water quality requires significant coordination and cooperation among stakeholders. In
1996 developed a publication entitled “Utah Watershed Approach Framework” to provide a guide for
implementing a watershed-based approach to improving water quality.
Environment concerns – endangered species, wetlands, The Great Salt Lake, instream flow maintenance,
instream water rights, wilderness designation, wild and scenic river designation.
Other considerations include land management and water yield (federal government administers about
two-thirds of Utah lands impacting the headwaters of almost all the watersheds), reserved water rights
(need a method to quantify federal reserved water rights), and the Colorado River (allocation of waters
in the Colorado River).
WATER LAW
Utah water law is based on the doctrine of “prior appropriation” (the first appropriator in time is first in
right) and “beneficial use”. Water law was expanded in 1935 to include groundwater. The Division of
Water Rights, under the direction of the State Engineer, regulates water allocation and distribution and
carries out the dam safety program.
FUNDING
“There are many funding programs available at the state, federal, and local levels. Increased funding or
additional funding programs may be needed to meet the accelerating costs and demands for water
development.”
(1) Current legislative and congressional funding fluctuations make long-range water planning and
development difficult. Local funding sources are not always adequate or available.
"Recommendation - Studies should be conducted to determine ways to return part of federal
water resources project grants to appropriate state agencies to increase existing revolving fund
programs. State funding sources should be analyzed to determine reliable alternatives to
increase existing revolving fund programs."
(2) The availability of federal funding for large developments is decreasing. This, along with
increasing costs, makes additional state involvement necessary to provide water development
needed by future generations.
"Recommendation - State agencies with water-related programs should continue to seek
additional funding."
(3) Uses for public purposes should be included in water development projects. This will usually
require funding from public sources or special user groups.
"Recommendation - Water resources conservation and development projects should be
constructed to include multiple uses where feasible opportunities exist. Public purposes, such as
flood control and recreation, should be financed with public funds or by beneficiaries of the
designated use."