Drought Response

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Continued drought leads to unprecedented curtailment in Yakima Basin

For questions about these changes, leave a message with Ecology’s customer service line at 509-575-2597 or email wrcro@ecy.wa.gov. Please include your affected water right number to help provide you with the best assistance. Read below for more information.

In the Yakima Basin, a third consecutive year of drought has caused historically low reservoir storage and streamflows. With natural flows unable to satisfy the most senior 1855 irrigation rights, the Washington State Department of Ecology is issuing curtailment orders to all surface water right holders in the Yakima Basin requiring that they cease diverting by October 6th.

 

June 2025 drought declaration expansion press conference

A drought advisory indicates areas that may develop drought conditions. This serves as an important readiness and voluntary water conservation tool. No impacts are anticipated to areas served by the utilities of Everett, Seattle and Tacoma. They managed proactively managed for potential drought conditions early this year and have healthy reservoir storage.