WA ecology department declares nearly statewide drought emergency

https://crosscut.com/briefs/2024/04/wa-ecology-department-declares-nearly-statewide-drought-emergency

WA ecology department declares nearly statewide drought emergency

by Mai Hoang

Washington State Department of Ecology map showing that most of the state is now under a drought emergency. Several cities in the Puget Sound region are excluded because their water storage makes them more resilient to drought. (Courtesy of Washington State Department of Ecology)
The state Department of Ecology declared a drought emergency for most of the state Tuesday.

The department first noted the threat of drought after a dry start to the winter. While precipitation in the past three months contributed to an increase in Washington’s snowpack, there still isn’t enough water needed for farms, aquatic wildlife and people.

Snowpack is at 68% statewide, with several areas, including the Olympic Mountains, Lower Yakima and north Puget Sound region, having significantly lower numbers.

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