Washington DOE Looks At Water Availability in the Columbia Basin

The Washington Department of Ecology has released the draft Water Supply and Demand Forecast in the Columbia River Basin, which serves as a glimpse ahead for the next 20 years. Ecology’s Joye Redfield-Wilder, said the Department takes a variety of issues under consideration.

"The reports help water managers and local planners to introduce projects in order to ensure enough water availability for the agriculture economy, the cities and stream flows for fish, particularly in the tributaries.”

Since 2006, the Department of Ecology has conducted these reports every five years. Redfield-Wilder added the 2021 draft report, they wanted to hear from as many parties as possible.

"We like to hear back from the farming community, different communities, the tribes, because they may have some ideas or anecdotal information that could contribute or be forward thinking​.”

If you haven’t made your thoughts known on the report, you still have time; comments will be accepted until July 2^nd.

The Department will also host a pair of online workshops on June 8^th from 2:30-5:30 p.m. and the June 17^th 8:30-11:30 a.m. to review the draft.

Click Here to learn more or to make your thoughts known.

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