Author photo

By Roger Harnack
The Journal 

No drought on the horizon for state

 

Last updated 3/21/2023 at 9:38am

Natural Resources Conservation Service

The March water report shows most of the state drought-free, with some areas "abnormally dry," as depicted in yellow.

RITZVILLE -The March drought report shows is good news for farmers across much of Washington state and Adams County.

According to the report released earlier this month, the state is drought-free. But, some "abnormally dry" areas remain.

In Adams County, conditions remain abnormally dry in the Othello area, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a division of the USDA.

But with a better-than-average snowpack and rain in the forecast, farmers should be ready for the spring growing season.

The Upper Columbia basin shows that snowpack was 113% of normal in February, even though February precipitation was only at 74% of normal, the March water report from the Conservation Service shows.

So far, precipitation for the water year remains at 89% of normal, the report shows, meaning producers should see good stream flows in the mainstem Columbia River as the growing and irrigation season ramps up.

On the east side of Adams County, the water year is looking good on the Snake River, too.

According to the report, the snowpack for the Snake River was 94% of normal and rainfall was only 81%.

But while low snowpack and rainfall may look low, the Snake River had reservoir capacity at 121% of the median year.

So far this water year, the Lower Snake is at 89% of normal.

Overall, the report said that must of the state was near normal for precipitation last month.

The water report forecast shows below normal temperatures and slightly above normal precipitation for the remainder of March, April and May.

Author Bio

Roger Harnack, Publisher

Author photo

Roger Harnack is co-owner and publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Our Family of Publications Includes:

Cheney Free Press
Ritzville Adams County Journal
Whitman County Gazette
Odessa Record
Franklin Connection
Davenport Times
Spokane Valley News Herald
Colfax Daily Bulletin

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024