Statewide Drought Declared
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 8:14 pm
Unfortunately, as of today (4/16), the Department of Ecology has declared a drought emergency for most of Washington. As chances for significant additions to the state's snowpack diminish, there is simply not enough water contained in mountain snow and reservoirs to prevent serious impacts for water users in the months ahead.
With many watersheds already projecting low water supplies and planning for emergency water right transfers, Ecology declared an emergency drought declaration to make assistance available before those impacts become severe.
Streamflows in many basins are already below 75% of normal. Forecasts for April through September have Chelan River streamflows at 52% of normal, while the Stehekin, Methow and Okanagan rivers are forecasted to have 59% of normal streamflows.
Added to those low streamflow predictions, climate predictions for April through August point to generally warmer and drier than normal conditions throughout Washington.
A different kind of Spring so far.
With many watersheds already projecting low water supplies and planning for emergency water right transfers, Ecology declared an emergency drought declaration to make assistance available before those impacts become severe.
Streamflows in many basins are already below 75% of normal. Forecasts for April through September have Chelan River streamflows at 52% of normal, while the Stehekin, Methow and Okanagan rivers are forecasted to have 59% of normal streamflows.
Added to those low streamflow predictions, climate predictions for April through August point to generally warmer and drier than normal conditions throughout Washington.
A different kind of Spring so far.