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Department of Ecology News Release - May 1, 2001
01-069
OLYMPIA – Following is the Department of Ecology's (Ecology) weekly report about the status of drought conditions in Washington, assistance being provided by state agencies, and what citizens can do to conserve and share water.
Status of drought conditions
With the warmer temperatures in most of Washington state last week, the snow pack dropped as the snow began to melt and trickle into mountain streams. The snow pack continues to be mostly at 50-65 percent of normal.
On Monday, snow fell in the mountains and, according to weather watchers, may result in some limited water-supply improvements. However, all reports still indicate that even with the wet weather in April, Washington state is still bracing for a drought this year. A common question is, "Once we get through this summer's drought, will it be over?"
"You would be hard pressed to find a climatologist, meteorologist or any other water resources scientist who can answer that question with confidence," said Doug McChesney, a hydrogeologist with the Department of Ecology.
McChesney explained that it is too early to tell if Washington state is in a single- or multi-year drought. He said there is no doubt, the effects of this year's drought will be felt into next year.
"The open question is how severe those effects will be. We know from experience that the longer we are in a drought situation, the longer it will take us to recover," said McChesney.
*Columbia River farmers signed up for supplemental water program
To date, 148 water-right holders along the Columbia River signed up to participate in a drought-relief program that will get them some of the water they need to irrigate their crops this summer.
The program involves a temporary water-right transfer from the Bureau of Reclamation to the state's trust water account. The water originally was purchased by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to reduce energy demand by the Columbia Basin Project. The state is reimbursing BPA about $800,000 for revenue lost by not generating power with the water.
The agreement will provide supplemental water to the irrigators for up to 12 weeks this spring and summer.
"We came up with a creative solution that involves moving water to where it is needed most. That's the type of spirit that we need to get through this difficult time," said Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons. "Even with this step, irrigators will need to conserve and be more efficient with their water use this summer – because there won't be as much water as they normally get."
Approximately 300 water-right holders who get their water from the Columbia River were eligible to participate in the program. Because of the extremely low flows in the Columbia River this year, the water-right holders faced being directed to shut off their irrigation systems in order to protect water for senior, older water rights and fish.
Farmers who participate in the program will get some of the water they need for irrigating potatoes, apples, grapes and other crops during this summer's drought. In exchange, they agreed to measure and report to the Ecology about the amount of water they are using, and they will reduce the amount of water they would typically use in an irrigation season.
Water-right holders who do not participate in the supplemental water program may be without water for much of this summer because of the near-record lows predicted in the Columbia River.
On-line water matches being made
So far, three people with water-rights have posted information on the Washington Water Exchange, a Web site sponsored by the Department of Ecology to help pair up people, public utilities and farmers with water rights they need to get through this year's drought.
People who are willing to temporarily transfer part or all of their valid water rights to another person or company can post information on the Washington Water Exchange Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/drought/droughthome.html (Link removed 12/01/2003). In addition, people who may have much less water this year than they typically do can post their requests for additional water rights.
Once people have found a possible match and determined that a legal transaction is possible, Ecology will review their temporary transfer or change applications to determine whether they qualify under the drought emergency that was declared on March 14. During the emergency, Ecology must process transfers and changes of existing water rights and applications for emergency water permits within 15 days.
In the past week, Ecology has received six more emergency water applications and 10 emergency applications to change or transfer water rights; 14 applications to change a water right were approved, and three were denied. The Yakima County Superior Court is scheduled to make a final ruling this week on 11 of the approved applications, because the requested water is in the Yakima basin, which is involved in an adjudication to determine the legal use of water.
Since mid-March, Ecology has received 32 applications for emergency water permits, all of which are being reviewed. Another 42 applications to change or transfer water rights have been filed; 25 have been approved, and three were denied.
Conservation tips for this week
Use less fertilizer on lawns and gardens – less fertilizer means less active growth and lower demand for water. Also, using organic fertilizer makes soil healthier and holds water longer.
Put mulch on soil and gardens. Mulch improves soil, retains water longer so less is lost to evaporation, and keeps weeds out of gardens.
People with new homes who are installing new landscaping should consider planting species that are drought tolerant. Local nurseries and landscape professionals can offer advice about plants that do well in the Northwest climate.
Contact: Mary Getchell, Public Information Manager, 360-407-6157; 360-534-8590 (pager)
Ecology's drought Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/drought/droughthome.html (Link removed 12/01/2003)
Ecology's drought hotline: 800-468-0261Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
