Washington Snowpack Reports 15% Drop In One Week

If you thought the Washington snowpack was disappearing at a quicker than normal rate, you're correct.

“The snowpack is going fast, we’re down to 64% of normal statewide right now which is down almost 15% from last week at this time,” said NRCS' Scott Pattee

It’s a spring melt off for the record books.  Patte told the Washington Ag Network near record high heat has socked Washington’s snow pack, dropping well of off last week’s 78% of normal.

Pattee added while the rapid melt off has not led to any flooding, it is leading to concerns for this summer’s water supply.  He said he’s not worried about locations like the Yakima Basin that have the ability to store water.  But, North Central Washington could be a different story.

“Like up in the Wenatchee area and the Methow and those places where they do not have the reservoir storage then those are the areas where if the water’s going now it’s going to be gone and if they can’t utilize it now, I’m afraid it’s not going to be there later this summer.”

Pattee says while we’re weeks, maybe even months from water rationing, it’s vital for the agriculture and no-ag communities to take steps now to conserve water.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (590) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com