Washington State Declares Statewide Drought Emergency

The Department of Ecology has declared a statewide drought emergency for most of Washington due to low snowpack and forecasts for a dry and warm spring and summer, making up to $4.5 million available in drought response grants. The declaration aims to address potential impacts on water users, agriculture, and wildlife, with climate predictions indicating warmer and drier conditions. Some areas, including the Olympic Mountains, Lower Yakima, and north Puget Sound, have significantly lower snowpack, and streamflows in many basins are already below 75% of normal. The drought declaration is a continuation of the 2023 emergency and will continue into next year, excluding limited areas in Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett.