Drought in Washington 2019

We're responsible for monitoring water supply and drought conditions. This year, nearly half the state, 27 watersheds, are part of the state’s drought emergency. In June, we began accepting applications for grants to help those experiencing hardships related to the drought emergency. We continue to accept applications for grants through the October 2 deadline.

Focus on: Drought 2019 (English) / Sequía 2019 (español)

Here's the latest as of September 9th:

Despite the overall warmer than normal conditions, the absence of heatwaves helped make this summer’s drought less extreme and damaging.

At summer’s end, reservoirs are approaching their lowest levels. Low reservoirs in the Yakima Basin are causing blockages to fish at the mouths of tributaries as streams flow below the surface.
A major storm system dropped significant precipitation over the western half of the state on September 8 and 9, and rivers are responding. U.S. Geological Survey water level stations are showing that 11 percent are still below the 10^th percentile, but 76 percent are normal or above. Wetter conditions are forecasted for the west half of the state over the next two weeks which should continue to replenish dry soils and help rivers sustain higher volumes. Get the latest streamflow data for Washington.
June through August ranked as the 22^nd warmest period since 1895 and August was the 15^th warmest.
For precipitation, June through August ranked as the third driest period since 1895. August was slightly wetter than normal, ranking as the 72^nd driest.
Read the Office of the Washington State Climatologist September newsletter.
How can you help? You can report any drought conditions, and water conservation is always important.

A map that shows the watersheds colored in red and pink that represent the April and May drought declaration areas.

2019 Drought declaration areas map - Read the list

Drought conditions on the Chehalis River at Discovery Park in Centralia, WA July 2019

Chehalis River at Discovery Park, Centralia, WA July 2019

The Hoh River flowing at a very low level down the center of a wide and rocky stretch of the river.

Washington's Hoh River during drought conditions on June 25, 2019

The Naches River as it flows towards its confluence with the Yakima River showing gravel bars and low flows.

Drought conditions in the Naches River looking downstream to the Yakima River

Satsop River flowing low and slow in August 2019

Seasonal forecast

We project water supplies by working with state and federal agencies to evaluate seasonal weather forecasts. Averaged statewide, January through June was the eighth driest on record for Washington since 1895, with especially dry conditions on the west side of the state. Drought conditions continue to persist.

For a full report visit our Statewide Conditions page
Read our drought related Blogs

Drought impact image for link to https://www.drought.gov/drought/states/washington

National Drought Information System - Report your drought impacts

This is a nation-wide service provided by the National Drought Mitigation Center, based at the University of Nebraska, in partnership with the National Integrated Drought Information System.

Drought - Report the impact - is drought affecting you?

Under our advisement, a drought emergency was declared on April 4, 2019, by Gov. Jay Inslee in the Methow, Okanogan, and upper Yakima watersheds.

The full announcement is available in our news room.
See the drought declaration map
Drought declaration order April 4, 2019

Projected water supply shortages

Data from state and national agencies forecasts summer water supplies for the Methow is projected at 72 percent of normal, while the Okanogan is expected to be 58 percent of normal and the Upper Yakima at 74 percent.

The areas declared in drought emergency are prime agricultural regions and stand to lose valuable crops if faced with water supply shortages this spring and summer. Communities dependent on water sources that are susceptible to reduced water availability face less secure drinking water supplies. In addition, fish and related instream resources can be hurt by low flows in rivers and streams, impacting migration and increasing water temperatures.

We’ve requested $2 million from the Legislature for drought response programs. This could fund projects like installing emergency water supply infrastructure; leasing water to create water availability for critical needs; and supporting operational changes to move water through tributaries and support salmon survival.

The state Water Supply Availability Committee (WSAC) monitors water supply conditions throughout the state to identify possible drought conditions as early as possible. If they determine current or projected water supplies in all or a portion of the state will meet drought conditions, the Executive Water Emergency Committee (EWEC) is convened to review their information and assess whether the reduced water supply will cause undue hardships. They may then recommend that the Governor direct Ecology to declare a drought emergency for the affected area.

Water Supply Availability Committee

Chaired by Ecology, the WSAC consists primarily of representatives from federal agencies involved in monitoring, forecasting, or managing state water supplies. Membership includes representatives from:

Department of Ecology (chair)
Office of Washington State Climatologist
U.S. Geological Survey
National Weather Service
Natural Resources Conservation Service
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Bonneville Power Administration

Executive Water Emergency Committee

Chaired by the Governor’s Office, the EWEC assesses the information provided by the Water Supply Availability Committee, and determines whether water users within the water-short areas will likely incur undue hardships.

Participation on the committee this past year included representatives from the following agencies:

Governor’s Office (chair)
Washington State Conservation Commission (WCC)
Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA)
Washington Department of Commerce (Commerce)
Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology)
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
Washington Department of Health (DOH)
Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division (EMD)

Drought Planning

Drought conditions are defined in Washington state law when:

A geographic area is experiencing, or projected to experience, a water supply that is below 75 percent of normal; and
Water users within the area will likely incur undue hardships as a result of the water shortage.

Once a drought is declared, Ecology is the lead agency for drought response and follows a comprehensive Drought Contingency Plan. Drought response efforts include:

Aiding state agriculture
Protecting public water supplies
Safeguarding fish and boosting stream flows
Maintaining critical energy supplies
Preparing to fight wildfires (DNR)

Contact information

Jeff Marti
Drought Coordinator
j eff.marti@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6627

Keeley Belva
Communications Manager
k eeley.belva@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-7139