US EditionWashington snowpack falls below drought threshold for 4th year; statewide emergency declared
Officials said the emergency unlocks $3 million in grants and faster water permit processing as warmer winters leave less water stored for summer.
- On Wednesday, the Washington State Department of Ecology declared a statewide drought emergency, citing mountain snowpack at roughly half of normal levels. Director Casey Sixkiller announced the measure in Yakima to help water users prepare for summer.
- Warm winter temperatures caused this 'snowpack drought,' as precipitation fell as rain instead of snow. Although the state received 104% of normal precipitation from October to February, much moisture flowed into the ocean rather than building seasonal storage.
- This marks the fourth consecutive year of drought emergencies, an unprecedented streak. State officials trigger declarations when watershed levels fall below 75% of normal, threatening the region's $4 billion agricultural economy and stream flows for fish.
- The declaration allows the state to expedite water right permits and distribute up to $3 million in emergency response grants. Funds support irrigation districts and communities trucking in water or clearing rivers for fish and farm operations.
- Director Sixkiller described the event as a 'new normal' shaped by climate change. Research projects snow droughts will occur in seven out of every 10 years by the 2050s, underscoring the need for long-term water planning.
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14 Articles
KHQ Right Now
gonzagabulletin.comWashington declares fourth straight year of drought
A drought has been declared in the Yakima Basin for the fourth year in a row.
Idaho Capital Sun
Dailyfly - Lewis Clark Valley News‘Our new normal’: WA confronts another year of drought
The Yakima River flows south of Roza. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Bureau of Land Management)Washington’s Department of Ecology announced a statewide drought emergency Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive year that part or all of the state has been in a drought. “We declare drought when water supply drops below 75% of normal,” said Casey Sixkiller, director of Ecology. “This year, every watershed in our state has met that threshold.” Snowpack i…
WA declares statewide drought emergency after warm winter cuts snowpack in half
Officials have declared a statewide drought emergency in Washington. They cite an “exceptionally warm winter” and warmer- and drier-than-normal forecasts through early summer. “There is no way to sugar-coat what is happening today,” Washington Department of Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller said. “We have entered April with roughly half of our normal snowpack. In Washington, our summer water supply is stored in winter snowpack.” Sixkiller said e…
The Center Square
Everett PostWA Ecology declares statewide water drought emergency amid 'unprecedented situation'
(The Center Square) - The Washington State Department of Ecology has declared a water drought emergency for the fourth year in a row and for all of the state’s watersheds,
Washington declares statewide drought emergency as dismal snowpack threatens water supply
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