Department of Ecology News Release - July 17, 2001
OLYMPIA - Following is the Department of Ecology's (Ecology) weekly report about the status of drought conditions in Washington, assistance being provided by state agencies, and what citizens can do to conserve and share water.
The state's warm summer weather may be pleasant for residents and visitors, but it is not helping low water supplies in reservoirs and streams.
"Nobody has a crystal ball, but so far we're pretty much on track with where we projected the drought would take us," said Doug McChesney, the drought response coordinator for Ecology.
Major rivers in Washington are predicted to be between 41 to 70 percent of the amount of water that typically flows in them from April through September.
Reports from the 1977 drought indicated a very significant decline in water and a hardship for communities, farmers and fish. Following are some data about how the drought affected Washington state by mid-July 1977 compared to mid-July 2001.
In 1977, the amount of water predicted to be in streams from April through September was between 30 and 70 percent of normal and declining, with the exception of lowland streams in Western Washington, which were considerably higher than normal. Water in the Columbia River at The Dalles was forecasted to be 52 percent of normal - 2 percent less than the previous record low set in 1926. 2001: the water supply forecasts for major rivers in Washington are well below normal, ranging from 41 to 70 percent of normal. On July 1, The Dalles was forecasted to be 52 percent of normal - matching the record low set in 1977.
In 1977, 85 public and private drinking-water operations reported immediate or anticipated water-supply problems; nine reported imminent problems. 2001:
Nine large utilities have told the state Department of Health that they are highly vulnerable to the drought.
In 1977, total crop production declined by $67 million or 5 percent. Crops that rely on rainfall such as wheat and barley were the hardest hit. 2001:
Agriculture and related industries are projected to lose between $270 to $400 million or approximately 5 to 7 percent this year due to the drought.
The Bonneville Power Administration's efforts to reduce energy consumption was partly responsible for removing 90,000 acres of sugar beets, alfalfa and row crops from production.
In 1977, 7,500 to 10,000 jobs were expected to be lost because of layoffs in the aluminum and agricultural industries. 2001: Job losses in the agricultural sector are predicted to be between 5,600 to 8,900 jobs.
In 1977, Gov. Dixy Lee Ray's "Save Electricity, Save Jobs" effort to reduce electricity use by 10 percent resulted in a near 9 percent energy savings.
Seattle Public Light and Tacoma Public Light increased electricity rates.
2001: Gov. Gary Locke declared an energy alert and encouraged businesses and citizens to reduce energy use by 10 percent. State facilities have cut their energy consumption by more than 10 percent, while statewide energy use is down by about 5 percent. Power rates have increased in several communities, including areas served by the Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor and Snohomish county PUDs, and by Peninsula Power & Light, Tacoma Power and Seattle City Light.
In 1977, 245 forest fires had been reported, approximately three times the number of fires reported by July 1976. 2001: As of July 16, Washington's federal, state and private forests had 489 fires that burned nearly 23,000 acres.
In 1977, Ecology had issued 400 temporary ground-water permits to help farmers and communities drill more wells. 2001: Ecology has issued 142 emergency water-right permits and changes of existing water rights.
Since March 14, when Ecology declared a drought emergency, farmers and municipalities in Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Walla Walla and Yakima counties have applied for 55 temporary emergency water permits and 118 temporary emergency transfers or changes to existing water rights to help maintain their water supplies.
Ecology has approved 45 applications and denied four applications for emergency water permits since the drought emergency was declared. The department also has approved 97 applications and denied three applications to change or transfer existing water rights.
Use a shut-off nozzle on hoses when washing cars, versus a continuous stream of water. Better yet, take cars to car washes that use recycled water.
Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation to water plants, rather than sprinklers or hoses.
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