The recently ended official water year was one of the driest on record in south-central Utah, and Richfield was no exception. Only 5.05 inches of precipitation fell during the entire 12-month period in the area's largest city.
The figure, reflecting moisture from Oct. 1, 1995, through Sept. 30, 1996, was less than half the previous year when 11.02 inches were recorded. At best, Richfield and Southern Utah have dry climates, the city having a long-term average of only 8.53 inches of precipitation.Even with the less-than-average amount of snow and rainfall, farmers grew crops with average yields. That's because of a good carryover of irrigation water in the storage reservoirs.
Officials conclude that another dry year could put next year's crops and income in the agriculture industry in jeopardy, however. They are hoping for an above average winter snow-pack in the mountains and more precipitation in spring and summer months.
It was also a hot summer in Richfield, but the temperature didn't reach the 100 degree mark. The highest was near that figure, however, when the mercury climbed to 98 degrees.
The driest month of the year in Richfield? June, when not one drop of moisture was recorded. Less than 1 inch of precipitation fell during each of 11 out of the 12 months of the designated water year.
The wettest month? May, and it barely exceeded 1 inch, when a paltry 1.03 inch of moisture fell.
Other months and the recorded precipitation during the water year include October, 1995, .08 inch; November, .28; December, .53; January, 1996, .67; February, .63; March, .54; April, .31; July, .16; August, .22; and September, .64.