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[pct-l] Washington rivers at record lows this summer



For those wondering about snow levels and river crossings in the Evergreen
State this year, here's an update from the Associated Press. Looks like
southbound is the way to go...

Tom Griffin
Seattle
PCT pages: http://staff.washington.edu/griffin/pct.html

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State's water situation still poor

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPOKANE -- Despite recent rains, the water situation in Washington remains
poor this year because a huge amount of the snowpack in the mountains has
melted in the past 15 days, a federal agency said yesterday.

This is the worst snowpack and water supply year since records have been
kept, the Natural Resources Conservation Service said in its May 1 water
outlook report.

"Most streams in Washington generally record peak annual streamflows during
the snowmelt months of May-July," the report said.

But this year, most streams hit their peaks in January, when rain fell on
top of snow.

"Most all streams have reached their snowmelt runoff peak at record or near
record lows and can expect extremely low flows throughout the rest of the
runoff period," the report said.

Most river basins in the state are now snow free, one to two months ahead of
normal, the report said.

In March, Gov. Christine Gregoire declared a statewide drought emergency.
And in April, an irrigation district in the Yakima Valley shut off the
supply for what was believed to be the first time ever.

(c) 2005 Associated Press
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