Spokane River Flows Meet Level 2 Drought Response

Spokane has implemented Level 2 watering restrictions as river levels have fallen below 1,000 cubic feet per second, triggering public notification. Residents must adhere to new guidelines that limit outdoor watering to two days per week and prohibit watering during peak hours. Public Works Director Marlene Feist urges the community to take collective actions to conserve water and protect the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. The city’s Water Wise Spokane program offers free consultations to assist in reducing water use, which has already saved over 344 million gallons since its inception. Spokane uses four times the national average of water during summer months, with half of the aquifer's recharge sourced from the Spokane River.

The Level 1 restrictions, applicable every summer, recommend limiting watering to four days a week. Thanks to community efforts, 45. 5 million gallons of water were conserved in 2024. These measures aim to ensure sustainable water use and protect local water resources.