Utah Geospatial Podcast The Utah Geospatial Resource Center

In this episode, we talk with Lexie Wilson, an environmental scientist at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.  Lexie helps us break down Utah's air quality science and chemistry.  You don't want to miss this one!

Related resources:
DEQ's interactive web map: https://enviro.deq.utah.gov/Air Quality Index (AQI) Basics: https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/Utah Air Quality Forcast: https://air.utah.gov/forecast.php

In this episode, we talk with Deidre Beck from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.  Deidre works in the Division of Drinking Water as an Environmental Scientist. 

This episode was recorded on January 25th, 2023, and concludes our three-part series on water here in Utah.  You can listen to all of our episodes, including the water series, wherever you find your podcast. 

Deidre explains how her division has primacy over the Utah Safe Drinking Water Act.

Her division is also tasked with conducting regular sanitary surveys for every public water system in Utah - ensuring these systems meet water quality standards

She explains how Utah obtains much of its drinking water via surface water - and how important the Provo River is to drinking water along the Wasatch Front.

Deidre also explains the concept of ridgeline authority, which gives some of the larger cities (such as Salt Lake City) the right to establish ordinances in areas outside of their jurisdiction. This ridgeline authority allows them to protect public drinking water in these zones.

We also talk a bit about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and how the Division of Drinking Water created a map to show disadvantaged areas, so the water suppliers in these areas can apply for hardship funding to improve the water systems there.

So, take a moment to sit back, and enjoy the show.

Additional Resources
DEQ’s Interactive MapHardship Funding Criteria for Utah Public Water Systems mapDrinking Water Sampling Results in Utah

This episode is part two of a three-part series on water here in Utah.

In Part one we focus on water resources. In Part two we discuss water rights, 
and in part three we focus on drinking water. 

You can find all of our episodes in our podcast feed or wherever you find your podcasts. 

Today's show is part two in the water series and we’re talking with Lee Eschler from DNR’s Division of Water Rights. 

Lee tells us how the PLSS section corners are a critical piece to water rights in Utah including the locating, purchasing, and the selling of these rights. 

He also explains the current water rights situation for water in and around the Great Salt Lake and how there are no new water rights being granted on water that flows into the Lake 

Then we discuss a bit on adjudication and how it gives the state a better understanding of what is and what is not being used and how this is an ongoing process 

So sit back and take a moment to enjoy the show. 

Related Resources:
DNR's Division of Water RightsUtah water rights, FAQsWater rights-related data in the SGIDHow Utah water works (pdf)

In this episode of the podcast, we talk with Aaron Austin, the GIS Manager at the Utah Department of Natural Resouces’ Division of Water Resources. He tells us how his division went from clipboards out in the field to now the use of satellite data. We also hear how collaboration among agencies played into the creation of the water supplier boundary layer. Additionally, Aaron fills us in on the Division of Water Resources’ involvement in secondary water metering and also on the water budget for the Great Salt Lake. 

This is the first episode in three-part series on water here in Utah.

Enjoy the show!
Related Links
USDA Cropland data layerWater Resources - Open Data websiteWater-Related Land Use Story MapWater Supplier Boundary DatasetDivision of Water ResoucesConserve WaterAgricultural Water Optimization

In this episode, we talk to Lynda Bell, who is the Southwest Regional Geodetic Advisor for NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey. She is the geodetic advisor for Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. 

In the episode, she explains why the National Spatial Reference Frame (NSRS) is so important and how it is a framework that ties all of our geospatial data together. She also reminds us of what a datum is and what we need to know about the new datums that are coming in 2023. She also explains the GPS on BenchMark program and how you can contribute. We then ask her about her recent visit to Utah and the importance of the PLSS monument preservation at Temple Square and also the USGS/UGRC Great Salt Lake Causeway project - a project measuring water levels and height.


You can email Lynda directly with questions at lynda.bell@noaa.gov


Links


More info from NOAA on Datums
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/datum.html
NOAA's National Geodetic Survey webpage
https://geodesy.noaa.gov/
The GPS on BenchMarks Program
https://geodesy.noaa.gov/GPSonBM/
Jack And Bore: A Key Component to Preserving the Salt Lake Temple in an Earthquake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N273kjZN0I8

In this episode, we talk to Bert Granberg, the analytics director at the Wasatch Front Regional Council - commonly known as WFRC.

WFRC is a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) here in Utah and they play a significant role in transportation planning along the Wasatch Front.

Bert fills us in on how analytics are used in transportation planning, and how transit and biking play into growth along the Wasatch Front.

Jake Adams from UGRC also joins us on this episode to talk about the housing inventory map that WFRC created.

Don't forget to check out WFRC's map gallery and their map of the month series
https://maps.wfrc.org/https://wfrc.org/maps-data/maps-of-the-month/