Arizona water utility says 2021 runoff season was 2nd-driest on record

Phoenix breaks record for hottest June in history

Meteorologists say the average temperature in Phoenix over the course of June 2021 was 95.3 degrees Fahrenheit.

PHOENIX (AP) - The Salt River Project says the 2021 runoff season was the second driest on record but that its reservoirs in central Arizona will provide full allocations of water to cities, farmers and other users during the current drought.

The SRP said the 104,000 acre-feet of runoff from winter precipitation is the second lowest amount recorded since the public power and water utility began keeping track 109 years ago.

According to SRP, the reservoirs on the Salt and Verde rivers are 67% full with over 1.5 million acre-feet of stored water as the Phoenix area enters its heaviest-use period of the year.

The SRP said it makes sure to plan ahead by capturing runoff water in wet years and store it for use during dry years.