Drought Response

Drought emergency status is declared statewide.

Forecasted runoff continues to be below the state’s statutory threshold for drought conditions. That threshold is met when an area is expected to receive less than 75 percent of normal water supply and there is a risk of undue hardship for water users and the environment. We rely on streamflow forecasts provided by the National Weather Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and also consider data for precipitation, soil moisture, and other factors.

We continue to monitor water supplies and encourage people to use water wisely.

A formal drought declaration allows us to provide emergency drought relief by:

• Expediting processes for Emergency Drought Permits.
• Processing temporary transfers of water rights.
• Provide funding assistance for public entities (municipalities, irrigation districts, PUDs, etc.). 

Examples of how we've used funds in past droughts include:

• Processing emergency water right permits.
• Leasing water from irrigators growing annual crops for instream and out-of-stream uses.
• Funding emergency infrastructure for communities and irrigators.
• Resolving fish passage barriers.

Streamflows and reservoir levels in some areas are far below normal, with forecasts indicating little likelihood that conditions will improve. These conditions are leading to undue hardship for water users, including small community water systems and farmers.

The areas in the drought emergency area include key agriculture areas that are very dependent on streamflows and reservoir releases. It also includes regions where communities are facing low surface and groundwater availability. At least two water systems in Clallam and Whatcom County are having to truck in water to meet their needs.

Irrigators with junior water rights are being curtailed to protect senior water rights in many watersheds. Curtailment occurs when there is not enough water to supply all water rights. The most recently established rights are curtailed to protect prior established water rights. For example, a water right established in 1945 along a particular creek might have to be curtailed to protect a right established in 1905 along that same creek if there is not enough water to satisfy both the 1905 and 1945 rights.

Smaller water systems and private landowners who rely on shallow wells should monitor their water levels and be prepared to reduce pumping. Conditions can vary significantly, depending on the depth and location of your wells.

Water users worried their water supply is at risk of failing should contact the nearest Department of Ecology Regional Office.

A formal drought declaration allows us to provide emergency drought relief by:

• Expediting processes for Emergency Drought Permits.
• Processing temporary transfers of water rights.
• Access drought funding provided by the state Legislature.

Part of our process to protect water supplies includes working with state and federal agencies to evaluate climate forecasts. The Office of the Washington State Climatologist and NOAA forecasted warm and dry conditions in the areas declared in drought emergency. For a full report on climate forecasting, visit our Statewide Conditions page. You can also help us monitor the drought by submitting observations and photographs to the Conditions Monitoring Observation System.

• Chapter 43.83B RCW - Drought conditions
• Chapter 173-166 WAC - Emergency drought relief
• Chapter 173-167 (2024) WAC - Emergency drought funding