Precipitation in the 90's
by
William J. Alder
After the unprecedented wet years in the mid-1980's, precipitation over Utah in the late 1980's and early 1990's was either normal or below normal levels. This decline in precipitation lasted for a six year period. The deficit of moisture was especially felt in the north. This caused reservoirs to drop to their lowest levels in many years. In November 1992, Bear Lake dropped to 5,905 feet above sea level—its lowest level since 1935. However, during the water-years of 1989-1990 through 1991-1992, state precipitation actually averaged between 100 and 110% of normal. But this was due to summer rainfall and above normal amounts of precipitation in the south.
1992-1993 was a great year for water statewide with abundant snowfall in the mountains and water-year percentages above to well-above normal levels. During this period, Bear Lake rose six feet and Lake Powell 56 feet. The state average for the water-year of 1992-1993 was 129%.
1993-1994 was another lean year for water with the majority of the state below to well-below normal on moisture with the state average a puny 89%.
The water-year of 1994-1995 was another abundant year with generous amounts of precipitation. Storminess frequented the state from fall through the spring months with one of the greatest mountain snowpacks on record recorded in the southern part of the state. The state average by the end of the water-year was 144% of average.
1995-1996 was wet in the north and very dry in the south. In fact, on May 14, 1996, Governor Mike Leavitt signed an agricultural drought disaster declaration for San Juan County and asked for federal drought disaster assistance.