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Department of Ecology News Release - April 12, 2005
05-085
OLYMPIA - While rain drenched most of Washington in the latter half of March and late-season snow prompted some ski resorts to re-open for a few days, 10 to 20 times more mountain snow would need to accumulate to stave off drought this year.
"The good news is we got what we normally should receive in March," said Scott Pattee, a water-supply specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Yet with even a return to seemingly normal precipitation patterns, Pattee said 2005 is shaping up to be "the worst water-supply season on record, particularly because it was so unseasonably dry and warm in January, February and early March."
He said federal weather forecasting agencies are predicting a chance of above-average precipitation over the next few months, accompanied with a possibility of continued above-average temperatures - a scenario that could melt the existing, diminished mountain snow pack earlier than normal.
"By mid-April, we pretty much get all the snow we're going to get in the mountains," Pattee said. "It is virtually impossible that Washington will get enough cold weather now to build up our snow packs and bail us out of drought."
Pattee said while most Washington reservoirs have near-average storage and should be able to adequately meet early-season demands, some rationing, especially in Eastern Washington, may be required to keep streams flowing throughout the summer.
STATUS OF DROUGHT CONDITIONS According to the National Weather and Climate Center and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, snowpack conditions around the state have improved slightly, increasing to 32 percent of normal on April 1. On March 1, statewide snowpack conditions were only 26 percent of normal.
The maximum snow-water content was reported at Paradise Peak in Mount Rainier National Park, with 33 inches of water. Normally, this site would have the equivalent of 72 inches of water on April 1.
Recent rainfall boosted stream flows in most Washington rivers, although flows have been tapering off. Most river gauges are reporting normal to below-normal stream flows - and average stream flows for the past week have been slightly below normal. For details on stream-flow conditions in Washington, see the U.S. Geological Survey's Web site at http://wa.water.usgs.gov/news/drought/
HOW STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS ARE HELPING The Department of Ecology has received 75 requests from water users in the Yakima River basin to drill new or reactivate existing emergency wells. The department has approved 30 requests and denied six; one request was withdrawn by the applicant.
Last week, Ecology sent notices to 62 interruptible water-right holders on the Methow River informing them they will need to call the department's toll-free number, (866) 277-4092, daily to see if they will be allowed to pump water. Ecology may soon send similar orders to interruptible water-right holders in the Wenatchee and Okanogan river basins.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is urging citizens to help prevent wildfires. The department is educating homeowners who live in forest areas about how to prevent fires and create defensible space around their homes. To receive copies of a videotape and a brochure on how to keep your home safe from wildfire, visit DNR's Web site at http://www.dnr.wa.gov/fire/index.html.
CONSERVATION TIPS FOR THE WEEK
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Media contacts: Curt Hart, Department of Ecology, (360) 407-7139; cell (360) 951-9314
Ecology Drought and Well-Drilling Hotline: (800) 468-0261
Ecology Drought Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov (under "Features," click on "2005 drought")
Health Drought Web site: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/drought/droughthome.htm (information about drought-related drinking-water issues)
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
