OLYMPIA – The Department of Ecology has declared a statewide drought emergency due to low snowpack and forecasts of a dry spring and summer.
Governor Jay Inslee announced the declaration following a dry winter and minimal snowpack gains in recent months. Many watersheds are anticipating low water supplies, prompting planning for emergency water right transfers.
To address the drought’s impacts, Ecology is allocating up to $4.5 million in response grants to aid affected water systems.
The declaration, extending from 2023’s drought emergency, covers most of the state and is likely to persist into next year. Statewide snowpack is at 68%, with some regions experiencing significantly lower levels. Forecasts anticipate below average stream flows for several rivers in the coming months, underscoring the need for proactive measures to mitigate the drought’s effects.