Think Water Utah Digital Resources & Events

Water has always been the critical resource in Utah and the American West. Now more than ever—as our state grapples with rapid population growth, an ongoing “mega-drought,” and the worsening impacts of climate change—understanding Utah’s water history is essential for an informed public. In this address, Gregory Smoak, director of the University of Utah’s American West Center and Utah Humanities State Scholar for the Think Water Utah project, explores the historical contexts of several of the most critical issues facing Utahns as they consider their present and future waterways. 

Think Water Utah encouraged local museums and their communities to critically consider the role of water in shaping human experience and culture across the state. This panel features several people involved in the project to share their experiences curating content about Utah water history for a broad audience through research, essays, exhibits, and public programming.

The Smithsonian H2O Today exhibition was co-curated and toured by Utah Humanities in collaboration with community partners as part of Think Water Utah. Hear from members of the statewide team how this national exhibition was flexibly designed and adapted with Utah content. From interactives and educational materials to companion exhibits and public programming, learn how these elements and this team worked together to help visitors grapple with Utah’s uncertain water future.

An Outstanding Achievement Award was given to the Think Water Utah Project Partners for their statewide collaboration and conversations about the critical topic of water. Utah State History's annual awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to history, prehistory or historic preservation in Utah.

"Gregory Smoak, Director of the American West Center at the University of Utah | Kanab and Utah's Historical & Cultural Water Ways" shows how Utah is a land of extremes, which have shaped our relationship to water and motivated great cooperation and great conflict between peoples, communities, and governments. 

Gregory Smoak, Director of the American West Center at the University of Utah | "Thinking Downstream: Great Salt Lake and Utah's Past and Future Water Ways" explores Utah's canary in the coal mine.

Gregory Smoak, Director of the American West Center at the University of Utah | "The Rise and Fall of John Wesley Powell's Hydraulic West" looks at Powell as a pivotal government scientist who had a particular vision for Western settlement and water development.

Gregory Smoak, Director of the American West Center at the University of Utah | "The Uinta Basin and Utah's Water Ways" explores Native waters, the Central Utah Project's interbasin water transfers, and the growing demands on this precious resource.

Gregory Smoak, Director of the American West Center at the University of Utah | "The Bear River and Utah's Water Ways" uses Bear River to explore how human water ways are both natural and cultural, how different cultural water ways have led to violence and inequity, and how Bear River can help us think about Utah's water future.

Greg Smoak, Megan van Frank, and Brad Westwood | Speak Your Piece podcast episode "History of Water in Utah: The Most Complicated Plumbing System..." about the Think Water Utah project, the history of water in Utah, and considerations for inclusive and sustainable decisions regarding Utah’s water future.

The River Knows Everything, an overview of the 12,000-year history of humans in Desolation-Gray Canyons, including Native peoples and Anglo ranchers.

Learn how water has shaped not only our earth, but important stories and ways of life along the way.

There are consequences to continuing unsustainable practices with our precious Utah water. Learn about the one important culprit of water overuse in Utah (it isn't laundry) and the impact of water diversions on people and wildlife.

Learn about the ecological and cultural importance of the Sevier River and Sevier Lake in central Utah as well as their relation to the Great Salt Lake, another body of water in the ancient Bonneville Basin.

Did you know that the Colorado is the Hardest Working River in the West? Learn how allocation of the River has changed over time.

Moderated discussion of "Canaries on the Rim," "Hope's Horizon," and "Stony Mesa Sagas," books about how we are embedded in the natural world.

"John Wesley Powell in the Lost Canyons of the Green River" focuses on Powell’s 1869 journey in the upper stretches of the Green were where crew members learned to handle ungainly boats and first realized just what dangers they were facing downstream.

"Believe" is an essay written specifically for the author's conversation with the Brigham City Museum about her book “Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place,” the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, and the role that water plays in Northern Utah’s delicate landscape.

reading Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place by Terry Tempest Williams with Riley Nelson (Biology, BYU) and John Bennion (English, BYU)

Join Natural History Museum of Utah entomologist Christy Bills and poet Nan Seymour for a River Writing session in the heart of Salt Lake City at the Fife Wetlands, inspired by May Swenson's book Nature: Poems Old and New.

reading To Die in Kanab: the Everett Ruess Affair by Jack Nelson with Ami Comeford (English, Dixie State Univeristy), Jaimi Butler (Great Salt Lake Institute, Westminster College), Riley Nelson (Biology, BYU) and John Bennion (English, BYU)

Join Hopi guide Bertram Tsavadawa and archaeologist Don Montoya for a conversation about Native rock imagery in Moab, with the Moab Museum.

reading In the Museum of Coming and Going and The Blue Nude Migration by Laura Stott with the author, Laura Stott (English, Weber State) and John Bennion (English, BYU)

Reading The Spiral Jetty Encyclo: Exploring Robert Smithson's Earthwork through Time and Place by Hikmet Loe, with the author and Jaimi Butler (Great Salt Lake Institute, Westminster College). Tune into their extended conversation, held as part of Utah's Thrive 125.

with Xiumei Pu (Environmental Studies, Westminster College) and Jaimi Butler (Great Salt Lake Institute, Westminster College)

Be inspired by Utah's amazing scenery, then try your hand at painting the landscapes and waterscapes you see with watercolors! Make your own watercolors and brushes, and learn the science behind salt and water reactions to make special effects on your paintings.

Get Inspired and Paint!

Create a small sketchbook at home using paper and scissors to record your own exploration of water. Sketch a waterscape, record your observations of water, or write words that are inspired by the water you see in nature. How do you use water? What types of water are around you? Use your sketchbook to document the ways water interacts with you.

Make a Sketchbook!

How do people in your area manage water in cooperation with people in other areas?

How do people in your area work to protect water resources?

How do people have fun on and around water? How does water bring people together in your community?

How do people in your community connect with water? What are the personal and cultural impacts of water in your area?