Conservation A Priority Heading Into Warmer Months, NRCS Notes

With temperatures across the Northwest warming, and the start of Summer less than three weeks away, farmers, ranchers and producers are being reminded of the importance of water conservation.

“Drought cannot only develop due to water supply shortages stemming from below normal snowpack, but drought can also develop, especially during the summer, due to high temperatures driving high evaporative demand," said Matt Warbritton with NRCS.  "So, drying out vegetation, increasing evaporation and reservoirs and streams.”

With the long-range forecast calling for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across the west this summer, Warbritton says it won’t take long for issues to develop.

“If we see again this summer warmer temperatures above normal temperatures, we can certainly we may certainly see increase due to that even in areas where we did see above normal snowpack or near normal snowpack.”

Dry Conditions Reported Across Washington, Idaho

The Washington Department of Ecology has already announced that drought conditions have developed in the central portion of the state, and are spreading to the west and north.  While the latest USDA drought figures show 46% of Washington’s soil moisture numbers are on par for this time of year, while only 40% of Idaho is where it should be for this time of year.  Oregon is fairing the best, with 76% of the state not under some kind of drought designation.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com