LIMITING FACTORS

The winter of 2025-2026 has resulted in record-low snowpack and higher temperatures, resulting in severe drought conditions going into this summer. The projection is for this summer to be worse than our record-breaking drought year of 2018. Benchland Water District purchases water from Weber Basin Irrigation District. Weber Basin has restricted Benchland’s water allocation to only 2,985 acre feet of the District’s 4,975 acre feet of contracted water that will be delivered this season. In addition, Weber Basin will delay the water delivered to the Benchland Water District until May 15th. This summer, Benchland will turn on the irrigation water on April 15th as scheduled to utilize canyon stream runoff and will need to rely on stream flow from the District’s four canyon stream flows to make it to May 15th when Weber Basin water is available. The District normally begins drawing on Weber Basin water the last week of June or later to supplement diminishing canyon stream flows. However, due to record high temperatures this spring it is expected that all snowpack will be melted by April 15th. It is essential that all Benchland water users conserve water from April 15th to May 15th. If water is not conserved and the District’s four canyon streams run dry, then there will be no water until the May 15th Weber Basin delivery. Please note that even after May 15th, Weber Basin has reduced our District’s allocation and plans on turning off the irrigation water sooner (September instead of October) so continued conservation of water is critical to make it through what is expected to be a hot and dry summer.

WATER METERS

State-mandated water meters have been installed for all Benchland Water District customers. Water meters will allow the district to monitor and know the exact amount of irrigation water being used by each customer. Those customers using large amounts of water will be contacted directly, and continued overuse of water could result in the shut off of irrigation water to that customer. Customers will have the ability to see how much water they are using as well. Information on how customers will be able to monitor their own property irrigation water use will be sent in a second flyer within the next few weeks.

BENCHLAND WATER USE CHARGES

Benchland customers often ask if refunds on the annual water use charges can be given during years when there is less irrigation water available. Unfortunately, the answer is no, refunds cannot be given. The reason is that Benchland has to pay Weber Basin Water District for our annual water allocation a year in advance. Weber Basin does not give Benchland a refund on water we turn back to them at the end of the irrigation season each year. Benchland is a district with a small staff, but water infrastructure needs and mandated water meters with a booming population puts a strain on Benchland’s finances and budgets. If Benchland was to refund customers during low water years while still paying the ever-rising price of full water allocation to Weber Basin Water District, then Benchland would not be able to stay financially sustainable.

Information on water conservation can be found on Utah State University Extension’s website, specifically drought.usu.edu

• Refer to residential lawn watering guide.   
• Watering less develops deep roots and healthier turf. https://extension.usu.edu/drought/