Strong has worked with Water Resources for 30 years, serving as deputy director for the past six years. He succeeds longtime Director Larry Anderson, who retired this month after serving as director for the past 21 years.

"Proper water management is critical to Utah," said Mike Styler, director of the Utah Department of Water Resources. "Dennis definitely has his work cut out for him with numerous big projects coming on line. He has the talent and credibility needed to move them forward.

Strong was key is drafting the Lake Powell Pipeline Development Act that passed the Legislature this past session and was signed into law by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. He also has served as project manager for the West Desert pumping project and was instrumental in the construction of other water projects around the state.

Strong will now oversee the Lake Powell pipeline project, as well as the newly signed water agreement by the seven states in the Colorado River Basin as well as what could emerge as a dispute with Nevada over groundwater supplies along the state line in Utah's West Desert.