Lack of snow hasn’t drained Snohomish County water supply

EVERETT — The Northwest and the Northeast U.S. are making headlines about snow, but for very different reasons.

From New England to the Mid-Atlantic states, the East Coast has been battered by record-setting depths of snow and freezing temperatures. Meanwhile, the Northwest has barely had winter at all. Washington has only received about 28 percent of the snow it usually gets, according to the latest federal estimate.

The warm winter has forced ski resorts to close early or at least significantly restrict operations, but Snohomish County should have enough water to get through the summer.

River basins around Central Puget Sound will be fed by 14 percent of their average snowpack, according to a March 6 report by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

But overall precipitation in the state is much closer to the average. This winter hasn’t been dry, it’s just been warmer than usual, experts say.

In the Sultan River Basin, which supplies drinking water for about 80 percent of Snohomish County residents, the water supply is 93 percent of average, said Neil Neroutsos, a spokesman for Snohomish County Public Utility District.

“In terms of the water supply, we’re not really affected,” he said. “Of course, for power generation, we would appreciate a little bit more snow in the mountains that would give us more of a cushion.”

The PUD operates the Jackson Hydroelectric Project in the Sultan basin. The facility generates about 5 percent of the PUD’s energy.

The PUD buys most of its energy from the Bonneville Power Administration, which operates hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River, which draws on drainage that stretches north into Canada.

The Columbia basin’s snowpack is much better because much of it is in higher elevations to the north, which have received more snow, according to the snowpack report.

“The main stem Columbia is going to be fine,” said Scott Pattee, who put together the snowpack report.

He is a water supply specialist in the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Mount Vernon office.

There will probably be enough water for consumption and irrigation, especially if utilities and customers use it efficiently and conservatively, Pattee said.

“Maybe you water your lawn one day a week — or not at all. It grows back,” he said.

On rivers, there might not be enough water in the fall, however, to flush young salmon to the sea.

“It’s all going to come down to how hot and dry our summer is,” Pattee said.

The Snohomish River could be very low this summer, he said.

There might not be enough water for rafting on the Skykomish and Wenatchee rivers, as well.

The Dungeness River on the Olympic Peninsula is probably in the worst shape in the state. In an average year, there is just enough water to be shared by people, irrigation, fish and power generation, and there’s been barely any snow this year, Pattee said.

This winter is a glimpse of the future, said Amy Snover, an environmental professor and director of the Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington.

“The future looks like this” in the Northwest, Snover said. “Climate change looks like this — less snow and warmer winters.”

Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.