February 9, 2010 in Region

Mild winter raising fears about Wash. water supply

Associated Press
 
Tags:waterweather

The mild winter in Washington is causing some worry for managers of the state’s water supply.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is estimating the winter snowpack is now just 74 percent of average, down from 84 percent just a month ago. Snowpack conditions in the Green River basin are only one-third of normal.

Snow that falls in the mountains and melts during warmer months is a major source of water across the state.

The agency said record high temperatures and below-average precipitation mean there may not be enough runoff to fill reservoirs that supply cities and farms this summer.

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Three comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • ChefGus/ John Olsen on February 09 at 12:26 p.m.

    Please refer any “questions” here to Mr Ahern and to Ms Mclaughlin… john

  • theisena on February 09 at 2:13 p.m.

    John, I was thinking the same thing. I wonder if the esteemed Ms. Mclaughlin will rescind her “we don’t need to take water-saving measures, we’re not experiencing an emergency” quote from last year RE: the city’s proposed lawn-watering rules.

  • sixandseven on February 09 at 2:16 p.m.

    Winter Wheat farmers all over the area are scared. They need a good 12 to 18 inches of snow. Remember they dont irrigate.

    Wheats going to go sky high and along with it bread and all the other products.

    So are they going to keep water over the falls in the summer for the tourists or save it for the farmers?

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