Washington鈥檚 drought emergency reaches western WA, Puget Sound
Jun 6, 2025, 5:55 PM
The Water level is low on Ross Lake awaiting spring runoff to fill it, April 15, 2001, near the North Cascades National Park, WA. (Photo: David McNew/Newsmakers via Getty Images)
(Photo: David McNew/Newsmakers via Getty Images)
Rapid snowmelt is causing more drought concerns across western Washington.
On Thursday, the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) expanded its for 19 watersheds across the North and Central Cascades and parts of the Puget Sound region, including in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. Ecology already issued a drought declaration for Yakima Basin watersheds in April.
鈥淭his is driven by the dry spring as well as the warm spring we had and early, rapid snowmelt,鈥� said Carolina Meller, Ecology鈥檚 Statewide Drought Lead.
When snow melts too fast, it can affect water availability in the summer for agriculture, wildlife, and utilities. That鈥檚 because instead of the snowmelt filling reservoirs, the rush of water drains out into the Pacific Ocean.
Snowmelt triggers Washington鈥檚 drought emergency
While statewide snowpack is currently 60% average, it鈥檚 much more dire in the Central Cascade Mountains, where they鈥檙e at 12% of normal, according to Ecology.
鈥淚n some parts of the Central Cascades, we saw snow melting 33 days earlier than normal,鈥� Meller said.
A drought declaration triggers emergency relief options for the region, including funding assistance for public entities.
鈥淒rought is not just a one-off anymore, but part of a regular occurrence for life here in 聽Washington,鈥� Meller said.
Ecology said there is not expected to be any impact to utilities across Seattle, Everett, and Tacoma.
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