In 2021 Washington had the second driest conditions on record, causing the department of ecology to issue a drought emergency for 96% of the state. Then in 2022, there was a nice amount of rain and snow runoff, but it wasn't enough. Now five watersheds in eastern Washington, including Yakima, are in another drought emergency.
Jeff Marti, a drought expert with the state Department of Ecology (DOE): "The reason a drought declaration was issued was in recognition of the very low water supply conditions in those areas and concerns about impacts to water users and the environment that might be associated with those water shortages."
The DOE is accepting applications for an emergency drought well program. "The Emergency Drought Ground Well Authorization program was developed to assist pro-ratable water users in the Yakima Basin (and elsewhere) with acquiring additional water to help them through drought," Heather Simmons, the Section Manager for water resource at the ecology department's Central Region office, said. Simmons says those eligible are required to acquire and pay for Yakima River mitigation water in an equal amount to what they are authorized to pump in an effort to offset any long-term impacts the additional pumping might have on the Yakima River.
Source: kimatv.com
