The State of Utah DNR Division of Water Rights issued a letter on April 29th to our local water stakeholders, including the Ashley Valley Water and Sewer Improvement District, Jensen Water Improvement District, Maeser Water and Sewer Improvement District, Uintah County Commission, and Vernal City. The letter states: As you are undoubtedly aware, the Eastern Uintah Basin is experiencing another year of drought. Current water flows and water flow projections on both Ashley Creek and Brush Creek are low and not very promising. Reservoir storage levels in both drainages are very low this year. It does not look like there will be enough water for irrigators and public water systems to operate as they normally have over the last few decades. Due to the ongoing water shortage, we recommend that the culinary water districts seek to reduce water diversions and conserve water usage in any way possible from both the Ashley Creek and Brush Creek drainages. We are concerned that there may not be enough natural flow and storage water to meet high demands and past water usage diversions this year. If we are not conservative with our water use in the valley, the culinary water systems in the valley may run out of water. In a low water scenario, the Ashley Creek Water Commissioner and the Utah State Engineer’s office may have to reduce water diversions or shut down water diversions due to either the priority system that is used in this state for water rights or due to a lack of available water.
