Washington Governor declares statewide drought

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a statewide drought on Friday, following snowpack at historic lows, dwindling rivers and irrigation districts cutting off water to farmers.

“We’re really starting to feel the pain from this snowpack drought,” Inslee said in a press statement. “Impacts are already severe in several areas of the state. Difficult decisions are being made about what crops get priority water and how best to save fish.”

The Washington Department of Agriculture is projecting a US$1.2 billion crop loss this year as a result of the drought.

To protect crops in the state’s most productive agricultural region — the Yakima Basin — irrigation districts are turning off water for weeks at a time to try to extend water supplies longer into the summer. In the Walla Walla region, the statement added, water is being shifted from creek to creek to keep water flowing for fish. Some fish are even being hauled farther upstream to cooler water.

Washington state declares drought emergency with $1.2bn in crops at risk http://t.co/uC7hKfPeV6

— The Guardian (@guardian) May 16, 2015

As things continue to dry out, the Department of Natural Resources expects more early-season and higher-elevation wildfires.

“This drought is unlike any we’ve ever experienced,” said Washington Department of Ecology director Maia Bellon in the statement. “Rain amounts have been normal but snow has been scarce. And we’re watching what little snow we have quickly disappear.”

Related: $1 billion water plan heads to California governor for signature as drought lingers

Snowpack in the mountains has dropped to just 16% of normal levels statewide, the statement reported. And on May 1, the Natural Resources Conservation Service found 11 snow sites in Washington that are snow-free for the first time ever. Of the 98 snow sites the service measured in Washington, 66 of them are currently snow-free. [click image below to enlarge]

In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey reported in April that 78 percent of streams statewide were running below or much below normal. Some were already at historic lows.

Farmers and communities facing hardships may qualify for drought relief funds, the statement said. Money can be used to drill water wells, lease water rights and acquire pumps and pipes to move water from one location to another.

A request for $9.5 million in drought relief funds has been submitted to the legislature.

Related: Water board: Californians saved less water in February than any other month with drought data

The statewide drought declaration comes just two months after California Gov. was expected to sign into legislation a plan to pump US$1 billion of water spending into drought-stricken California. The legislation includes US$267 million in grants to water recycling projects and expand drinking water supplies in small and poor cities.

With #climate-driven drought, Washington State officials say their forest are “tinderbombs.” http://t.co/ZzcrN8faKn pic.twitter.com/fpJXc3VYvh

— Tim Ream (@ourcarbon) May 19, 2015