Washington issues statewide drought declaration, including Snohomish County

Washington state has officially declared a statewide drought emergency in response to significantly reduced snowpack levels and forecasts predicting a warm, dry spring. Governor Jay Inslee highlighted the importance of winter snowpack for fulfilling the water requirements of farmers, fish, and communities during the dry summer months. The drought declaration allows the Department of Ecology to issue emergency water right permits and provides up to $4. 5 million in grant funding for qualifying public agencies to mitigate the effects of the drought. Whatcom County, which relies on snowmelt for the Nooksack River and groundwater replenishment, is among the areas affected.

However, limited areas within Seattle, Everett, and Tacoma are exempt due to effective water management strategies in place. The National Weather Service has indicated that the region may face three months of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures, potentially leading to early snowmelt. This declaration extends and expands a previous order made in 2023, highlighting the growing challenges faced by Washington's water resources amid climate change.