I got down to fishing yesterday on the Jordan, and slowly the water started creaping up the bank. And it's amazing, because Utah lake is the lowest I've ever seen it. That made me wonder, how exactly do they decide how much to send out? Is it that if a lake is low, send out more? That's what it seemslike this year. Why don't they try to conserve some water at lakes like Willard, Calder, and Newton, where the fish are most likely going to die off this year? I personaly think the key is to just let out the bare minimum.
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I don't think it is up to the DWR . It's all about water rights and who owns them and if I had some I would tell them to keep it in the lakes and streams . I do wish they would cut back like they have asked all of us to do . But that just means higher prices for water and more taxes to make up for lost revenues . Just can't win in a drought . Ok that's my 2 cents and I most likely don't know what I'm talking about either . Just felt the need to vent . LOL
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dwr has nothing to do with water flows. dwr is division of wildlife resources. the water companies and there are various ones depending on the lake or reservoir, determine how much water gos out based on how much water was sold. its extremely frustrating to see it wasted or appear to be wasted to us in years like this.
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The water is controlled by C.U.P. Central Utah Project.
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Hey JK
If you want to know what power the DWR has and does not have over water in Utah, check out [url "http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/news/02-07/drought.html"]this read[/url] from last year. It's long, but very informative. It's directed toward DWR personnel (and others), so it also gives some insight as to how the DWR would like to communicate with the public concerning the drought problem. Bottom line is water is worth money, so about all you can do is try to get the DWR to buy some (e.g. a conservation pool) with your money (e.g. the money you spent on your license) at your favorite fishing hole.
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They only thing that the DWR has a control of the conservation pool or water rights they own. If you look around at most lakes they don't go below a certain elevation depth. Willard doesn't have a C pool because they couldn't or wouldn't buy a C. pool. If we start geting some good wet weather and come out of this drought the DWR will start seeing more rights sold and hopefully the DWR starts picking up some of those. The only draw back to that is a license, tags, and permit increase.
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In addition to the water rights they own, they do have 'agreements' which are basically written contracts with H2O providers. And I'm sure they pay for those contracts just like they do their water rights.
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