Washington issues emergency drought declaration for Yakima watersheds, frees $4.5 million in grants

Seattle — The Washington State Department of Ecology on Tuesday declared an emergency drought for the Upper Yakima, Lower Yakima and Naches watersheds, authorizing expedited water transfers and the release of $4,500,000 in emergency grants to help local governments and water managers prepare for the summer.

"Today, we are issuing an emergency drought declaration for the Upper Yakima, Lower Yakima, and Natchez watersheds," said Casey Sixkiller, director of the Washington State Department of Ecology. He said reservoirs in the Yakima system remain low despite a wet March, and acting now allows state agencies to move resources and coordination into place.

State officials said the declaration is driven by low reservoir storage and declining snowpack. Sixkiller said Yakima reservoirs recorded their third-lowest water levels since 1971 and that storage rose only to about 58% of normal after an above-average March. "That's the fifth lowest level in 54 years," he said.

The declaration lets Ecology fast-track emergency water transfers and release emergency grant funding. Agency staff said the legislature authorizes Ecology to receive a drought-related transfer once per fiscal year, historically up to $3,000,000; this year Ecology is able to make $4,500,000 available because of remaining funds from a 2023 legislative proviso.

Karen Bomboco of the Washington State Climate Office, which is part of the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group, placed the conditions in longer-term context. "We've seen about a 25% decline [in snowpack] since the 1950s," she said, and cited climate projections that show further declines by the end of the century. She also cited a Bureau of Reclamation forecast that proratable water users could receive roughly 58% of their typical April–September allotment this season.

Officials emphasized that drought is not solely an irrigation issue. "It's about fish habitat, drinking water for rural communities, and ecosystem health," Sixkiller said, and warned that unstable federal data and support from agencies such as the Bureau of Reclamation, NOAA and NRCS complicate forecasting and long-term water-management planning.

During a question-and-answer period, agency staff reiterated the limits and timing of the funding mechanism and said the extra $1.5 million available this year stems from leftover legislative funds. An agricultural stakeholder described repeated irrigation shutoffs and reduced harvests in local irrigation districts, underscoring concerns among growers.

The declaration covers named Yakima watersheds now; officials said they are monitoring other counties (Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce, Okanogan and Chelan) that are currently in drought advisory status and could be added if conditions worsen. Sixkiller urged conservation and said the state is working with tribal partners, farmers and federal agencies on both emergency response and longer-term resilience projects.

The Ecology panel encouraged reporters and stakeholders to follow up with agency staff for details on grant eligibility and water-transfer procedures. The formal briefing concluded after a short Q&A; several agency representatives remained available for one-on-one interviews.