Spokane River Flows Meet Level 2 Drought Response

Spokane River levels have fallen below 1,000 cubic feet per second, prompting the activation of Level 2 watering restrictions under a conservation ordinance approved by the city council in 2022. The ordinance restricts outdoor watering to two days a week and prohibits watering during peak sunlight hours. Public Works Director Marlene Feist noted that individual conservation efforts collectively contribute to protecting the Spokane River, a vital source for the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. Water Wise Spokane offers free indoor and outdoor consultations to assist residents in reducing water consumption throughout the year. Spokane's summer water usage is four times higher than the national average, underscoring the necessity of these restrictions.

Since the program's inception, it has saved over 344 million gallons of water through education and outreach. Strong community engagement led to the conservation of 45. 5 million gallons of water in 2024. The city encourages residents to adopt these practices to safeguard their water resources.