Rising temperatures due to climate change have induced change in the Earth’s water cycle, increasing the prevalence of drought. Drought has become routine for much of the western U.S., although the winter of 2022-23 produced significant precipitation which alleviated conditions for many western states. Washington is included in this statistic with water supply and snowpack that approached or was above average statewide in early May. However, early snowmelt, an unusually dry spring and summer, and low stream flows led the state’s Department of Ecology to declare a drought emergency for parts of 12 counties (part of Benton, Clallam, Columbia, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Skagit, Snohomish, Walla Walla, Whatcom, and Yakima). Over 50% of the state is experiencing drought affecting 4.8 million residents according to Drought.gov.   

Although not as severe as some in recent history, the economic and environmental impacts to the state from this year’s drought are considerable. Facing diminished waterways, farmers must choose which crops to cultivate and which crops to sacrifice, and the success of fall crops is withering away.

Drought also increases risks to fish and other wildlife. Low streamflow affects fish hatcheries and makes it more difficult for fish to travel, which is imperative to fish like salmon. Lower water levels also yield higher water temperatures impacting cold-water fish. Water temperature is thought to be causing a higher-than-normal mortality rate among adult-size sturgeon, which has prompted the state to halt fishing of white sturgeon on a section of the Columbia River.[1] For wildlife, drought means less food and water, impacting mortality and breeding rates.

Additionally, droughts exacerbate wildfire risk. In July, a wildfire in Klickitat County forced evacuations when it spread to more than 50,000 acres, “threatening homes, farm buildings, livestock, crops, solar farms, wind farms, the Williams Natural Gas Pipeline and the Roosevelt Landfill.”[2] Currently, there are three large active fires in the state.

The drought emergency declaration allows the state to mandate water cuts and makes $3 million in state and federal funds available to mitigate impacts.[3] El Niño conditions are likely to prevail through the winter, bringing warmer air which will affect snowfall totals and water availability into the coming year. An uncertain water future is a reality much of the west faces and it also highlights the need for future planning.

[1] “Increasing Reports of Adult Sturgeon Mortalities Prompt Closure of All Sturgeon Fishing on Portion of Columbia River.” Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, 27 July 2023, wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/increasing-reports-adult-sturgeon-mortalities-prompt-closure-all-sturgeon-fishing-portion-columbia.

[2] Staff, FOX 12. “Newell Road Fire Now More than 50k Acres in Klickitat Co..” Https://Www.Kptv.Com, 22 July 2023, www.kptv.com/2023/07/22/newell-road-fire-burns-30k-acres-triggers-go-now-evacuations-klickitat-co/.

[3] Swanson, Conrad. “Drought Emergency Declared in 12 WA Counties after Early Snowmelt, Warm Weather.” The Seattle Times, 25 July 2023, www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/drought-emergency-declared-in-12-wa-counties-after-early-snowmelt-warm-weather/.