EVERETT — The Department of Ecology announced Tuesday that Snohomish County is under a drought advisory.
Kittitas and Yakima counties and part of Benton County are in what is considered a drought emergency for the third year in a row, Casey Sixkiller, head of Washington’s Department of Ecology said during Tuesday’s press conference.
Areas west of the Cascades are also experiencing drier conditions. Snowpack in the central Puget Sound area is only at 67% of normal levels and snowpack levels in the North Puget Sound area are at 74% normal levels.
The meager snowpack has prompted the Department of Ecology to put 14 watersheds across Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Chelan, Okanogan and Pierce counties under a drought advisory.
While the advisory means that these areas are not currently meeting drought conditions, the Department of Ecology is keeping a close eye on conditions as spring weather approaches.
“An advisory is a public awareness and readiness tool only and does not open any drought relief tools,” Department of Ecology drought lead Caroline Mellor wrote in an email on Tuesday. “For example, this can help small, local public entities like towns or small agriculture prepare if they were to be brought into the declaration later in spring or summer.”
The advisory does not affect water restrictions, which are under the jurisdiction of utilities.
On Tuesday, Everett Public Works sent out an email stating that the current outlook for the city’s water supply is good and Spada Reservoir is at 125% of normal storage, which is typical for this time of year, the Public Works email stated.
To get up-to-date city water supply information, you can visit everettwa.gov/watersupply.
For statewide drought information and response information you can visit https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-availability/statewide-conditions/drought-response.
Eliza Aronson: 425-339-3434; eliza.aronson@heraldnet.com; X: @ElizaAronson.
Eliza’s stories are supported by the Herald’s Environmental and Climate Reporting Fund.
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