Drought was declared in Washington last spring. How are the conditions going into fall?

In April 2024, the Washington state Department of Ecology declared a statewide drought. Every area was impacted outside of Seattle, Everett, Tacoma and the towns directly supported by those cities.

Per statutory definitions in Washington state, the declaration reflects an expectation of less than 75% of normal water supply (compared to the average over the last 30 years), and there’s risk of undue hardship, according to the Department of Ecology.

Heading into the cool seasons, here’s what you need to know about the drought in Washington state.

Washington state 2024 drought

Multiple factors contributed to the drought conditions identified earlier this year. Lower temperatures plus decreased snowpack are two primary concerns, as much of Washington is dependent on water from the winter’s snowpack.

When the two conditions are combined, it increases the impact on Washington’s water supply. Less snowpack means less water to melt off into local supplies, and lower temperatures mean the melt occurs at abnormal rates. December 2023 was the third-warmest in state history, according to Caroline Mellor, drought lead with the Washington State Department of Ecology. In a more normal year, the snowpack would melt gradually, providing water over time.

This is why drought conditions are particularly extreme around the center of the state, near the Yakima River basin and its tributaries, and impacts continue throughout the state, as seen on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Both the west side and east side are impacted, despite the difference in precipitation.

“East side folks know it’s dryer over there, but drought is more than that,” Mellor said in an interview with the Herald.

Drought refers to more than dry conditions. Specifically, it’s a reflection of water supply compared to the standard of the previous few decades. One day of rain generally won’t overturn drought conditions.

The state declaration refers to anticipated future water supply, while the U.S. Drought Monitor shows droughts based on current water supply.

Future drought conditions in WA

Heading into fall, experts will be re-evaluating the drought declaration throughout the cold seasons. The drought is expected to last through next year, but with so many unknowns for the coming months, conditions will be looked at often. It won’t be rescinded until there is evidence of recovery, according to Mellor.

The center of the state in particular will be watched, and the mountain regions that feed into the Yakima River basin. For example, Mellor says the Central Cascades are melting 50 days earlier than normal right now. Should conditions improve regarding the melt rate in this area, the drought may be reconsidered.

While drought is measured by water supply, it impacts much more. The early melt-off in central Washington could have impacts on the state’s agriculture, a massive economic sector in the state that’s worth nearly $50 billion, as well as river fish and related ecosystems that are important for regional tribes.

Additionally, the 2024 drought is a continuation of increased drought conditions in Washington state. Mellor told the Herald that snowpack-based drought has particularly increased. She noted the historic drought in 2015, plus the declared droughts for at least part of the year every year since 2019. Current climate models suggest Washington will experience snowpack droughts 40% of years going forward.

Steps to take during WA drought

There are small actions everyone can take to be mindful of the drought conditions in their daily lives. Mellor recommends mindful actions around your home, like waiting until dishwashers are full to run them.

The Department of Ecology has many recommended actions for water conservation. Some require no cost or home upgrades at all. Here are some things everyone can do to save water:

• Turn off the faucet while shaving, brushing teeth

• Take short showers instead of baths

• When washing your hands, turn off the water when you lather

• Never flush trash

• Avoid using water to defrost frozen foods

• Compost your food waste instead of using the garbage disposal

• Repair leaks as soon as possible

• Collect rainwater to use on your landscape

If possible, consider evaluating your home’s lawn and garden. Are you using low water practices, like drip irrigation? Are you growing native, tolerant plants? Are you using unnecessary water, or prioritizing a perfectly green lawn for purely aesthetic reasons?

The drought lead recommends looking into “xeriscaping” or “zeroscaping” and other mindful yard practices. Both options utilize low-water yard practices with aesthetically-pleasing outcomes.

This story was originally published September 10, 2024 at 2:28 PM.