Deseret News archives: Guess what Utah’s big concern was 100 years ago?

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

The top headline in the Deseret News 100 years ago today seems familiar, only because it is revisited often in this desert state:

“S.L. faces no water for lawns: Supply drops at rate which causes alarm”

Here is the first paragraph:

“Salt Lake confronts the most serious water situation in its history and unless the people of the city save 4,000,000 gallons of water a day it will be necessary to cut off another sprinkler day, and further, if the dry weather continues for another two weeks it may be possible no lawn sprinkling will be permitted,” the water works director told Mayor C. Clarence Nealen on July 30, 1924.

Utah’s history is filled with water challenges, including droughts and lean years, flooding in other years and a constant plea for conservation. The health of the Great Salt Lake is a continuing concern for many Utahns.

Though most agree the state’s residents can always be more prudent with water use, it is remarkable to consider how well water managers, farmers and businesses that use water, and residents themselves have been as a part of the solution through the years.

Here are a selection of stories from Deseret News archives about the water challenges in the Beehive State for the past 100 years:

“ Floods and drought: How this man weathers the weather to keep water flowing to your tap ”

“ Opinion: Stop punishing people with water rights for not using their full share ”

“ It was a record winter for water; now let’s see if we can hang onto it ”

“ Farmers and ranchers in Utah have cut water use 70-75% compared to last year ”

“ Anatomy of a drought: How the West may change for decades to come ”

“ Who should get water if Utah has an emergency shortage? ”

“ The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the West. How much longer will it last? ”

“ It’s not yet time to turn on the lake’s big pumps

“ Lake’s pumps still high and dry ”