Watching the Water – Drought Declaration

Near-record low snowpack has prompted the WA State Dept of Ecology to declared a statewide drought emergency as water supplies are projected to fall short of summer demand.

Despite a wet winter, which overall generated 104% of normal precipitation from October to February statewide (91% of normal here on the eastern face of the Olympics), there just wasn’t much in the way of longer-lasting snowpack.

According to a release from the Dept. of Ecology, in Washington State, drought is declared when there is less than 75% of normal water supply and there is a risk of undue hardship or impacts on water users and the environment.

All PUD-owned water systems rely on lowland precipitation recharging groundwater, not on annual mountain snowpack. Precipitation in the form of rainfall and lowland snow percolates down into aquifers where it can serve as storage, discharge to streams and to tidewater. In between, that water can be pumped and used by us. In some cases, water can be used multiple times before discharging to seawater. By moving very slowly from raindrop to seawater, groundwater systems are naturally more resistant to short-term droughts than those dependent on surface water. In this situation, the advantage goes to groundwater systems.

The Dept of Ecology notice is essentially an extension and broadening of the 2025 drought declaration. Since the 1990’s, a drought declaration have been needed about 40% of the time in Washington State.

Remember, every drop counts! Be sure to check out our water conservation tips here:

https://www.jeffpud.org/water-wisely/