Drought Plagues Utah as Conditions Worsen
Utah is facing a severe resurgence of drought in 2025, with nearly three-quarters of the state affected. This stark contrast to April 2024, when only 3% of Utah experienced drought, signals a return to concerning dry conditions. Ranchers, like Iron County’s Kelton Iverson, report dwindling water supplies and dry ponds, forcing early relocation of livestock to summer pastures.
Beckah Esplin, Iverson’s wife and an agricultural extension agent, expresses concerns about the impact on summer grazing lands. With limited precipitation anticipated in the coming months, ranchers might be compelled to purchase additional feed or even sell cattle, which would pose significant financial challenges.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns of below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures through the summer, compounding the woes of agricultural producers. With low snowpack levels reported across southern Utah, spring streamflows are predicted to be less than 30% of average. Farmers are adapting by limiting irrigation and planting less resource-intensive crops, as the prolonged drought threatens the viability of their operations. The overall outlook remains grim, as producers grapple with escalating costs and uncertain futures.
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