Low snowpack raises water supply concerns

WENATCHEE — Snowpack across Washington remains well below normal heading into the final weeks of winter accumulation, raising concerns about summer water supplies across the state, particularly in the Columbia Basin.

According to the March 1 Washington Water Supply Outlook Report from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, statewide snow water equivalent — the amount of water contained in the snowpack — stands at 54% of normal. With the typical peak snowpack date around April 5, officials say significant late-season snowfall would be needed to close the gap.

Across Washington’s monitoring network, five stations recorded record-low snowpack levels for early March, while nine others posted the second-lowest levels on record.

Conditions in the Central Columbia Basin, which includes the Wenatchee, Entiat and Chelan watersheds, are also trending below normal.

Snowpack in the basin is projected to fall well short of typical levels this season, with data showing the basin’s snow water equivalent at 23% of normal later in the spring measurement period. Precipitation for the water year to date is about 80% of normal, while May precipitation dropped to 42% of normal, reflecting a dry late winter and spring pattern.

Despite the low snowpack, reservoir levels have provided some buffer. Lake Chelan storage stood at 147% of its median level as of March 1, largely due to earlier rainfall and reservoir management capturing runoff earlier in the season.

Water supply forecasts for the basin’s rivers — including the Wenatchee, Entiat, Chelan and Icicle systems — currently range from 70% to 103% of normal streamflow for the April-through-September period.

Although statewide precipitation since October has reached about 105% of normal, much of that moisture fell as rain rather than snow due to warmer winter temperatures.

As a result, hydrologists say a “snow drought” is affecting many Washington basins. Snowmelt typically provides the bulk of water supplies during late spring and summer, particularly for irrigation, municipal use and hydropower.

If current conditions persist, most basins in the state could see below-normal runoff during the 2026 irrigation season, according to the report.

The broader drought picture is also worsening. As of early March, 75% of Washington is classified as abnormally dry, with additional areas already experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions.

Soil moisture data also shows drier-than-normal conditions across parts of the Columbia Basin, which could further reduce runoff efficiency as snowmelt is absorbed into the ground before reaching rivers and reservoirs.

Climate outlooks from NOAA show equal chances of above- or below-normal temperatures and precipitation for March, leaving uncertainty about whether late storms could improve the situation before the snowpack season ends.