Drought emergency declared in 12 WA counties
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Early snowmelt, a lack of spring rain and low stream flows have prompted the Washington Department of Ecology to declare a drought emergency for watersheds in 12 counties throughout the state.
Counties affected by the drought declaration include Walla Walla, Benton, Columbia, Clallam, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom, and Yakima. The rest of the state remains under a drought advisory issued by Ecology on July 5.
In Washington, drought is declared when there is less than 75 percent of normal water supply and there is a risk of undue hardship. In the Walla Walla Basin, there are reports that parts of the watershed have gone completely dry. The Washington State Conservation Commission has reported crop losses.
Declaring a drought emergency allows Ecology to process emergency water right permits and transfers. New legislation passed this spring also makes $3 million in emergency drought funds available as grants to support communities, irrigation districts, tribes and other public entities facing hardships.
Map via Washington Department of Ecology
