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The drought across Washington state is surpassing droughts in 2001 and 2005 and appears to be headed for the record books.
“Pretty much the consensus is that this is shaping up to be the worst drought in modern Washington state history,” said Dan Partridge of the state Department of Ecology’s water resources program.
State fishery managers have closed or restricted fishing on more than 30 rivers throughout Washington to help protect fish in areas where drought conditions have reduced flows and increased water temperatures, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) said in a press release. The closures and restrictions took effect Saturday (July 18) and will […]
Officials who oversee water supplies, agriculture and fish don’t have to exaggerate to convey the grim conditions facing Washington as a result of a prolonged drought. Almost 99 percent of the state is classified as being in a “severe drought.” Eighty sturgeon, from 5 to 7 feet long — including breeding females — have been found dead along the Columbia River. Typically wet forests …
If you’re looking for unexpected ways the current drought is affecting the West, you might take a look in Kathie Dello’s inbox. Until recently, Dello, the deputy director of Oregon’s climate service, had been getting the same emails from prospective …
The Methow River basin will be considered for a drought declaration this week, after falling below 75 percent of normal water supply.
Almost half the state’s river basins are now in a declared drought emergency, as the water supply outlook rivals some of the worst drought years in six decades.
Although the Methow River watershed is still registering fairly normal seasonal readings for snowpack and water levels, the Okanogan River basin was included on the latest drought declaration for the state issued by Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday (April 17). The 13 watersheds on the expanded list mean the drought emergency …
Ann McCreary The streamflow forecast for the Methow River has dropped to 73 percent of normal for April through September, which could qualify the Methow River watershed for a drought designation. State law allows the Department of Ecology to declare a drought when an area is experiencing, or projected to experience, a water supply that […]
