Ecology declares third year of drought for Yakima Basin
The state has extended a drought emergency for the third year in a row in the Yakima River Basin.
The drought declaration, which began in 2023, covers the Upper Yakima, Lower Yakima and Naches watersheds. Kittitas and Yakima counties and part of Benton County are part of the drought emergency.
Seven other counties are in a drought advisory status, including Okanogan and Chelan counties and Pierce, King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom on the west side of the state, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.
Although snowpack has improved in the Yakima Valley, there won’t be enough spring runoff to replenish reservoirs and soil after two back-to-back years of drought, state officials said.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/04/09/ecology-declares-third-year-of-drought-for-yakima-basin/