Responding to water supply needs

Impacts of climate change on water resources

Climate change has already altered and will continue to alter snowpack and streamflows. This affects where, when, and how much water is available for all users.

A reliable supply of water is vital for the communities, businesses, industries, environment, and quality of life in Washington. Many communities rely on a snow-fed water supply to provide safe and clean drinking water. The irrigated agriculture industry relies on water to irrigate crops. That same water also feeds rivers and streams that support salmon. Further, Washington’s abundant hydropower resources supply two-thirds of the electricity for the state.

The impacts of climate change will intensify current challenges in managing water resources. The state’s water resources are already under stress from:

• Excessive water withdrawals.
• Increasing conflicts among water users and demands on water resources.
• Increasing water quality degradation.
• More frequent and intense droughts and floods.
• Loss of species, habitats, and ecosystems.

Water supply projects in Eastern Washington

Our water supply and environmental enhancement projects are helping to ease water conflicts in Eastern Washington. We're responding to decades of competition for water that stymied new development and threatened several fish species listed as endangered in the Columbia River Basin.