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The Wasatch Front

...the populated corridor along the western side of the Wasatch Mountains

History of Lake Powell Written in Sediment

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Lake Powell

Learn more about Lake Powell's current storage capacity.

Groundwater Conditions in Utah

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Great Salt Lake

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Utah Water Science Center

Water information is fundamental to the protection of life and property and for effective management of water resources, which are needed for economic well-being. The USGS Utah Water Science Center works with many partners to monitor, assess, conduct targeted research, and deliver information on a wide range of water resources including surface water, ground water, and water quality.

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History of Lake Powell Written in Sediment

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Lake Powell’s storage capacity updated for first time since 1986

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Groundwater Flow to Colorado River May Decline by a Third over Next 30 Years

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Publications

Sedimentary record of annual-decadal timescale reservoir dynamics: Anthropogenic stratigraphy of Lake Powell, Utah, U.S.A.

The tributaries of Lake Powell were impounded following construction of Glen Canyon Dam, resulting in deposition of reservoir sediment over a ∼650 km2 area since 1963. These units have been exposed through erosion as water storage in Lake Powell has decreased since 2000. This anthropogenic sedimentary record reflects the complex interplay among wet and dry periods of Colorado River runoff and the r
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Water Resources, Utah Water Science Center

Elevation-area-capacity relationships of Lake Powell in 2018 and estimated loss of storage capacity since 1963

Lake Powell is the second largest constructed water reservoir by storage capacity in the United States and represents a critical component in management of water resources in the Colorado River Basin. The reservoir provides hydroelectric power generation at Glen Canyon Dam, banks water storage for the Upper Colorado River Basin, stabilizes water commitments downstream, and buffers the Lower Colora
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Water Resources, Utah Water Science Center

Rocky Mountain Region Science Exchange 2020—EarthMAP and the Colorado River Basin

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Rocky Mountain Region (RMR) hosted USGS scientists, managers, program coordinators, and leadership team members for a virtual Science Exchange during September 15–17, 2020. The Science Exchange had 216 registered participants and included 48 talks over the 3-day period. Invited speakers presented information about the novel USGS Earth Monitoring, Analysis, and Pre
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Ecosystems, Water Resources, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Oklahoma Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Geographic Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center
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Science

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View of Lake Powell from hill, USGS boat beached on shore below looks tiny.

New study confirms loss of storage capacity in Lake Powell

Beginning in 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, completed topobathymetric surveys of Lake Powell for the first update of elevation-area-capacity relationships since 1986. The recent report presents results of these surveys and comparisons with estimates from previous surveys. Current storage capacity at full pool (3702.91 feet above NAVD 88) is 25,160...
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Utah Water Science Center
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New study confirms loss of storage capacity in Lake Powell

Beginning in 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, completed topobathymetric surveys of Lake Powell for the first update of elevation-area-capacity relationships since 1986. The recent report presents results of these surveys and comparisons with estimates from previous surveys. Current storage capacity at full pool (3702.91 feet above NAVD 88) is 25,160...
Learn More
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Purging a well in southern Utah.

Groundwater Conditions in Utah

Since 1964, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights, and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality have cooperatively published an annual report describing groundwater conditions in Utah. The annual paper reports provided data that enabled interested parties to maintain awareness of changing groundwater conditions...
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Utah Water Science Center
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Groundwater Conditions in Utah

Since 1964, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights, and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality have cooperatively published an annual report describing groundwater conditions in Utah. The annual paper reports provided data that enabled interested parties to maintain awareness of changing groundwater conditions...
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Great Salt Lake, old staff plate

Great Salt Lake Elevations

Great Salt Lake Elevations The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has been collecting water-surface-elevation data from Great Salt Lake since 1875 and continuously since October 1902. The north part of the lake has been monitored since April 1966. On October 18, 2021, the southern portion of the Great Salt Lake set a new record low average daily elevation of 4,190.2 feet, which is about 1.2...
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Utah Water Science Center
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Great Salt Lake Elevations

Great Salt Lake Elevations The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has been collecting water-surface-elevation data from Great Salt Lake since 1875 and continuously since October 1902. The north part of the lake has been monitored since April 1966. On October 18, 2021, the southern portion of the Great Salt Lake set a new record low average daily elevation of 4,190.2 feet, which is about 1.2...
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