Drought emergency for most of Washington
4/19/2024 12:00:00 AM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Plants & Wildlife
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Washington
Adams County, WA
Asotin County, WA
Benton County, WA
Chelan County, WA
Clallam County, WA
Clark County, WA
Columbia County, WA
Cowlitz County, WA
Douglas County, WA
Ferry County, WA
Franklin County, WA
Garfield County, WA
Grant County, WA
Grays Harbor County, WA
Island County, WA
Jefferson County, WA
King County, WA
Kitsap County, WA
Kittitas County, WA
Klickitat County, WA
Lewis County, WA
Lincoln County, WA
Mason County, WA
Okanogan County, WA
Pacific County, WA
Pend Oreille County, WA
Pierce County, WA
San Juan County, WA
Skagit County, WA
Skamania County, WA
Snohomish County, WA
Spokane County, WA
Stevens County, WA
Thurston County, WA
Wahkiakum County, WA
Walla Walla County, WA
Whatcom County, WA
Whitman County, WA
Yakima County, WA
Start Date: 4/16/2024
- End Date: 6/30/2025
A drought emergency was declared for most of Washington due to the low snowpack and the forecast for a warm, dry spring and summer. Many watersheds were already projecting low water supplies and planning for emergency water right transfers. The Department of Ecology declared a drought to make up to $4.5 million available in drought response grants available before those impacts become severe. The new declaration will extend into 2025. Seattle, Tacoma and Everett were not included in the new drought declaration.
State of Washington Department of Ecology (Olympia, Wash.), April 16, 2024
Forecasted runoff remained below 75% of normal water supply, which may cause undue hardship for water users and the environment. Agricultural areas such as the Columbia Basin could be harshly affected. Ecology is making up to $4.5 million available in drought response grants to qualifying public entities in response to impacts from the present drought conditions.
KEPR 19 (Pasco, Wash.), April 18, 2024
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