Uintah Basin
(August 12)

April, May and the first part of June were relatively dry months in the Uintah Basin with precipitation at only a fraction of average. The increased rainfall in July provided some relief to growers of alfalfa but that relief was offset by the damage done to the ripened grain crop. The total accumulation for water year 2004 still ranges from 80 to 85% of average. Unfortunately, the snow-pack is gone. It was only about 88% of last years total. Obviously, the drought continues in the Uintah Basin .

tarvation Reservoir did not fill this year, however it is currently about 90% of average and should provide a full supply of water to the project lands and for the municipal needs of Duchesne City . Moon Lake Reservoir filled to only 36% of capacity and is 8% to 10% below last year at this time. That is a difference of roughly 4,000 acre-feet. Steinaker Reservoir is not fairing well this year. It is likely that it will only be able to supply irrigation water to the end of August. Red Fleet is near 58% of average, 10% better than last year, and should provide a full supply of water this year.

Irrigation Water
Irrigation water will likely be sufficient for irrigators with storage rights. The exception is with Steinaker Reservoir where the water supply is about half a season short. Irrigators that depend on stream flow will be less fortunate since stream flows are ranging from 35% of average to 77% of average.

Municipal and Industrial Water
Municipal and Industrial (M&I) water supplies are adequate for indoor use at this time. Municipal water suppliers that operate ground water wells have not seen evidence of a decrease in the water table elevation at this time. Reservoir levels will be adequate for municipal water.

Duchesne County Water Conservancy District
With the exception of the City of Duchesne , this will be another low-water supply year for agriculture. Soil moisture conditions are marginally better than last year at this time and mountain snow pack was slightly higher than last year.

 Moon Lake Water Users Association
Moon Lake reservoir is at about 4,000 acre-feet less than last year. The stream flow for Lake Fork River above Moon Lake was from 70% to 77% of average. They will likely have an adequate supply through mid-September.

Ouray Park Irrigation Company
Ouray Park Irrigation Company reports that they are limiting water use to 1/3 of the water share.

Uintah Area River Commission
The Uintah Area River Commission reports they will likely be able to meet this summer's demand for irrigation water. Potable water restrictions for Tridell and LaPoint have not been implemented. Mountain snow pack was slightly better this year than last year. Although first priority water users are receiving most of their entitled share for irrigation, little or no water remains for secondary shareholders.

City of Duchesne
The City of Duchesne receives potable water from Central Utah Water Conservancy District at the Starvation Reservoir. The reservoir nearly reached full capacity this year and there will be a full supply of irrigation water for project lands and no restrictions on potable water use.

Roosevelt City
The City of Roosevelt reports that the potable water supply is stable. Outdoor watering restrictions have been drafted and will be put in place as the drought continues. The City's ground water well level remains fairly constant at this time.

Vernal City
Vernal City reports its water supply is approximately 90% of normal and that Red Fleet Reservoir is holding up well. Ashley Springs , the primary source for drinking water for Vernal, appears to have an adequate supply for M&I use this year. No mandatory conservation is in place at this time although residents have been urged to conserve water. A two-tiered water rate structure is in place.