While part of state likely to avoid drought, still concerns over Washington farm country

Despite a relatively warm, dry winter, the Cascade mountain snowpack is strong, which is good news for parts of the state because it could help avoid a drought.

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The state Department of Ecology says the snowpack has created a healthy outlook for areas that depend on spring snowmelt for their water supply. Unfortunately, places that rely more on rain and groundwater are expecting trouble, particularly Eastern Washington’s farm country.

The abundant snowpack is good news for the Yakima River Basin, but the current dry spell will impact soil moisture in wheat-growing and pasture areas of Southeast Washington. Dry conditions are causing concern for the Chehalis Basin as well, which is dependent on rain to feed the rivers and streams and recharge aquifers.

“Temperatures last month were higher than normal for most of Washington and precipitation was below normal across the entire state, making March through April the fourth driest such period for Washington since 1895,” as reported on the Ecology Blog.

The state Department of Ecology says it recently heard concerns from wheat farmers in Klickitat County and areas of the Palouse. Early snowmelt is also less than average levels in Pend Oreille, Spokane, Walla Walla, and Snake watersheds.

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The department says it will keep a close eye on water supplies across the state into the summer. Learn more about drought conditions and relief on the Drought Preparedness and Response page.

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