Showing posts with label surface water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label surface water. Show all posts

Beginning in 2024, floating plastic foam used for overwater structures must be encased in durable shell

Thursday, December 14, 2023

New regulations in 2024 for floating docks
Photo courtesy Department of Ecology

OLYMPIA – Beginning January 1, 2024, Washington waters will harbor less pollution from the plastic foam used to support floating docks and walkways. 

New requirements mean that the expanded polystyrene used to float most overwater structures must be fully encased in concrete, aluminum, steel, or plastic to prevent it from breaking up and dispersing when the material becomes waterlogged or damaged.

Dock owners are not required to immediately replace non-compliant, exposed foam floats but will need to upgrade when the time comes to replace or repair those existing structures. 

The new law reinforces standard practices in the dock-building industry as well as existing regulations administered by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

Small floating buoys are exempt from this law, but foam-free alternatives are encouraged for recreational crabbing and fishing.

“Boaters, anglers and others who enjoy Washington’s waters see first-hand the mess created when exposed white foam breaks down into tiny beads, polluting shorelines and endangering aquatic animals,” said Solid Waste Management Program Manager Peter Lyon. 
“This new requirement formalizes a modern practice of reputable dock builders who use fully encased foam.”
--Dept. of Ecology


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Not just the rivers are rising

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Echo Lake Park looking south. Photo by Johanna Polit
If you live on Echo Lake, in a house or ground level apartment / condo, you might want to check your doorstep to make sure the water is not at your door.

Echo Lake Park beach, looking north
Photo by Johanna Polit

The water in the lake is just below the level of the curb and more rain is coming.

--Diane Hettrick



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Rainfall fills Boeing Creek

Monday, November 6, 2023

 
Photo by John Slomnicki

In July we published photos and an article about the progress to refurbish Boeing Creek after the dam was removed and the artificial lake "Hidden Lake" drained away.

All that was left was a large flattish area and the creek that they were rechanneling through the area.

Work progresses on Hidden Lake and Boeing Creek

Photo by John Slomnicki
The lakebed was replanted and the grasses have grown.

The recent rainstorm on Saturday turned Boeing Creek into a genuine creek instead of a muddy ditch. Not sure if it will last but it's quite beautiful now.

--Diane Hettrick


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Need a Sandbag?

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Robert Scott shows how to fill a sand bag

Story and photos by Patrick Ducey

The City of Shoreline has a sandbag program where they supply bags and sand so that people can fill their own sandbags. A sandbag is a very useful tool, along with keeping storm drains clear, to help divert storm runoff and prevent some localized flooding. 

It's also nice to have some road sand to get some traction when it starts snowing on some of the hills around here.

The Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo) conducted training recently on making, moving, and stacking sandbags to create an effective flood control wall.

The NEMCo CERT team practiced making a sandbag dike

On Saturday, the NEMCo CERT team put that training into action, and practiced making a sandbag dike.

The public sand pile is in Hamlin park, the first parking lot on the left. 

The NEMCo CERT team meets monthly on the second Tuesday of each month at Fire Station 51 in Kenmore. The public is welcome.


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Echo Lake closed for fishing, swimming, dogs due to toxic algae bloom

Friday, October 6, 2023

Algae photo by Ann Michel
According to Stefan Grozev, Senior Surface Water Program Specialist, for the City of Shoreline Public Works, after sampling an algae bloom on Monday the results show that Echo Lake currently contains high levels of toxic algae. 

On the recommendation of King County Public Health Warning signs will be posted at the beach but KCPH has not closed the beach. 

Due to the presence of toxic algae we do not recommend swimming, wade, fishing, or entering the water. 
Toxic algae can cause serious illness and can be fatal to humans and pets.

They will continue to sample the lake weekly, and after two consecutive weeks of safe results we can remove any signage and consider the lake safe again. 

There is a caveat that King County Public Health requires all sampling to occur at least 24 hours after any major storms, so it is likely that sampling will occur late next week.


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Streamside Restoration 101 online October 26, 2023

Photo courtesy KCD

Streamside Restoration 101
October 26, 6:00pm to 7:30pm via Zoom

King Conservation District (KCD) staff will be presenting ways you can support wildlife, enhance your property’s aesthetic, and reduce maintenance needs on your stream or lakeside property. 

Learn from experts and get your questions answered.

Sign Up Now



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Cities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park present… Salmon SEEson

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Salmon SEEson! 

This program helps everyone in the community witness amazing salmon migrate upstream at locations across King County. 

Check out these salmon viewing locations that give you the chance of potentially seeing salmon in Lake Forest Park: 
  • Lyon Creek Waterfront Preserve 
  • Blue Heron Park 
  • Pfingst Animal Acres Park 
Signs are posted in the park at all three locations. 

Check out the Salmon SEEson website for other viewing locations in King County. 


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Seattle Waterfront construction makes sure pollutants do not enter the Sound

Friday, September 22, 2023

Bioretention planters at Seattle Waterfront project
Photo courtesy Seattle Waterfront Project

When people think of Seattle, they imagine rain and for good reason - we get a lot of it! With rain (and occasional snow) comes water that flows across hard surfaces picking up pollutants like oil, grease and metals which eventually lead into the Puget Sound. 

Bioretention planters filter the 
runoff before it enters the Sound
To counteract this, the Seattle Waterfront project has installed Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) facilities to treat stormwater runoff on all new roadway surfaces along Alaskan and Elliott ways.

31 bioretention planters on Alaskan Way between Yesler Way and Pine St plus one large-scale 3-tiered bioretention planter on Pike St have been installed. 

Additionally, filtering catch basins or vaults are used as water quality treatment in areas where bioretention cannot be accommodated. 

With these, we are able to treat an estimated annual average of 10.4 million gallons of total stormwater runoff before it enters Elliott Bay. 

The next time you visit the waterfront, know that it isn't just the flowers and landscaping that are thriving— we do our best to make sure our marine buddies are flourishing as well!


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Seattle Public Utilities and North City Water District activate the “voluntary” stage of water shortage contingency plan.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

After a rapid snowmelt this spring, little to no rainfall this summer, and above-average water consumption due to an ongoing lack of rain, our region’s water reservoirs are lower than usual. In response, Seattle Public Utilities and North City Water District have activated the “voluntary” stage of our water shortage contingency plan.
 
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) — the source / supplier of water for the majority of the utilities in this area, including North City Water — has been closely monitoring the situation all year long. 

Should this year’s El Niño pattern continue with a warm, dry fall and winter, SPU has identified a number of strategies to address water supply. Some of these have already been implemented, given the onset of salmon spawning season, others are waiting to be activated or adjusted as we join countless generations who have looked to the skies for rain.

What Does That Mean for North City Water District Customers?

The District is joining with water utilities throughout our region to ask customers to reduce their water use by 10 percent. Here are three ways you can do this around the home:

  1. Shorten your shower (every minute = 2 gallons), and turn off the faucet while shaving or brushing your teeth.
  2. Flush less often if possible, and check to make sure you don’t have a leaky toilet… if you hear your toilet occasionally hissing or refilling, this could be an indicator of a leak. Stop by the District office to pick up easy toilet leak test strips.
  3. Use a broom instead of a hose to do outside fall clean up.

Visit the Saving Water Partnership website for more water conservation advice, rebates, and handy DIY tips!

North City Water District will keep you updated as SPU continues to assess weather, inflow, and reservoir conditions in order to evaluate if further actions are necessary.


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Plan for the future: life vests

Wednesday, September 6, 2023


King county residents 
have until September 30, 2023 to get a 20% discount on life Jackets that meet the US Coast Guard standard.

Just print the coupon by visiting the link below or show it on your phone at Big 5 Sporting Goods locations.

More information and coupon here



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Hot weather, cold water: the King County Sheriff's Office would like to keep you from drowning

Saturday, August 19, 2023


From King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO)

With recent tragedies involving outdoor water activities, we want to remind you of the importance of water safety.
 
We reached out to Sergeant Rich Barton of the King County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit for the following words of advice to our communities.
 
Hot weather, cold water. The water in the river is not warming up even though the temperatures are. It may be 90-plus degrees outside, but the rivers can still be below 60. The temperature difference can cause cold water shock and drastic changes in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. 

It also can cause a sudden gasp and rapid breathing, which creates a higher risk of drowning regardless of swimming ability. This applies to all waters.

The rivers are down to their extremely low levels right now. This does not mean they are safer. There are still hidden hazards and strong currents. Slippery rocks and uncertain footing can cause a fall or slippage.

Life jackets work, period. If you are a fair swimmer or non-swimmer, use a life jacket or stay out of the water.

Stand-up paddleboards are required to have a life jacket and whistle on the board, not necessarily worn. 
  • Do not use the attached leash if using a paddleboard on the river. Leave it off. The leash could get caught around an obstruction and hold the person in a bad situation.
  • If using the paddle board on lakes and the Puget Sound, use the leash.


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Beat the Heat Thursday - help pull cattails from Echo Lake

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Photo by Claudia Meadows

What better way to beat the heat than to wade in a nice, cool lake?

Volunteer with the ELNA neighborhood to pull invasive cattails that are choking the swimming beach at Echo Lake Park, 19901 Ashworth Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133.

This Thursday August 17, 2023 from 4 to 6pm. 

Marla Tullio, project leader, reports that the cattails are very easy to pull. "Just reach into the water, grab a handful and pull them out." They come easily out of the soft peat on the lake bed.

Five volunteers filled 12 bins in a couple of hours at the last work party.

They would like to have some company, though. Everyone is welcome. "One Scout troop could probably clear the entire lake!"


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City of Shoreline: Don't feed ducks and geese

Friday, August 4, 2023

Feeding ducks and geese can lead to larger than normal population sizes, overfed animals, and animals waiting near the beach for humans to feed them - in short it leads to more ducks and geese pooping at the beach! 

This makes beach waters unsafe for people, pets, and wildlife. It also makes for gross beaches. Let the birds be wild - please don't feed the ducks and geese!

--City of Shoreline


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Become a Kenmore Water Steward

Saturday, July 22, 2023

Photo by Steven H. Robinson
The City of Kenmore has partnered with the Hamline Center for Global Environmental Education to bring the national Adopt-a-Drain program to Kenmore.

"We are proud to now be one of 15 cities in Puget Sound to participate. Residents, businesses, and organizations can sign up to adopt a storm drain of their choosing."

Simply go to wa.adopt-a-drain.org to see if there is a storm drain near your home, business, school, or favorite park, and sign up to keep it free of leaves and debris. 

By doing so you will be helping to prevent flooding caused by blocked drains and pollution from reaching our streams and lakes. Every little bit helps.



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Work progresses on Hidden Lake and Boeing Creek

Friday, July 21, 2023

Hidden Lake is now just Boeing Creek
Photo by Keith McGlashan

What is Hidden Lake?

Hidden Lake was an artificial waterbody created by damming a section of Boeing Creek just upstream of NW Innis Arden Way, located partially within Shoreview Park. It was constructed by King County in 1996 as an environmental mitigation project and includes a sediment forebay to trap sediment as it moves into the lake.

What happened to sediment deposited in the lake?

Sediment deposition has occurred within Hidden Lake at a rate approximately six times greater than estimated by the facility’s designers; in order to maintain the lake as an open water feature from 2002 to 2013, the City’s Surface Water Utility spent over $600,000 to implement seven separate dredging projects which removed a total of nearly 13,000 cubic yards of material. No sediment removal has occurred since the summer of 2013.

Where does all the sediment come from?

Sediment moving into the lake primarily comes from upstream ravine slope failures. Most deposition within Hidden Lake occurs infrequently as a result of large storm events. Major development within the upper Boeing Creek basin, concentrated in the 1950s through 1970s and especially along Aurora Avenue N, has greatly increased stormwater peak flows, leading to erosion issues throughout the Boeing Creek ravine.

Why did the City stop dredging Hidden Lake?

The Hidden Lake Management Plan Feasibility Study analyzed alternative surface water management approaches for the Hidden Lake facility with the goal of reducing long-term costs to the utility while meeting other criteria. On September 8, 2014, City Council discussed the results of the study and authorized staff to cease dredging the lake and begin a phased approach to remove Hidden Lake Dam and re-establish Boeing Creek at Hidden Lake.

Boeing Creek is channeled into a naturally curving, rock-lined bed
Photo by Keith McGlashan

Did the Hidden Lake Dam block fish passage within Boeing Creek?

Yes, Hidden Lake Dam was a complete barrier to fish passage, one of four major barriers on lower Boeing Creek identified in the 2013 Boeing Creek Basin Plan (the other three barriers are the Seattle Golf Club diversion dam, riprap cascades below NW Innis Arden Way, and the NW Innis Arden Way culverts). 

The basin plan recommended taking advantage of any opportunities from Hidden Lake-related work to improve Boeing Creek fish passage (under Recommended Project BC-Hab-1). However, it is unclear which species may have been most affected by this loss of fish passage, other than resident cutthroat trout. 

In pre-developed “wild” conditions, the steepness of the channel slope and likely intermittent natural fish passage barriers created by old-growth treefall may have prevented upstream passage of the anadromous species (coho, chum, sea-run cutthroat) found in lower Boeing Creek for much of the channel upstream of the Seattle Golf Club Dam.

Boeing Creek still flows under the Hidden Lake Bridge
Photo by Keith McGlashan

How will these improvements be funded?

The 2018 Surface Water Master Plan Update prioritized the Hidden Lake Dam Removal Project alongside all other recommended surface water projects. This project and other priority projects were allocated funding from the Surface Water Utility Capital Improvements Budget.

The project has been awarded multiple grants, including a $300,000 Flood Reduction Grant from King County Flood Control District, a $448,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant from Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), and a $50,000 King County WaterWorks Grant. We are seeking additional funding sources for this project to help offset the need for utility funds.

--Information from the City of Shoreline



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Climate Action Shoreline: Water Use Wednesdays (Freshwater)

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

By Diane Lobaugh

When our small group of Shoreline neighbors developed a brochure of daily actions to address the climate crisis, we included a day to think about how we use water.

Freshwater is vital for all life and ecosystems. We use freshwater in many aspects of daily life including health, food production, power generation, manufacturing, and sanitation. The source of freshwater is precipitation from the atmosphere.

Although the earth's surface is two thirds water, less than 3% is freshwater, and much of that is ice, glaciers, permafrost, and polar ice caps. Most of accessible fresh water is used for agriculture (70%), then industrial (19%) and domestic uses (11%), including for drinking.

We are very lucky in our area to have access to an abundance of clean water, and an infrastructure that brings it into our homes, ready to use. Billions of people (29%) around the world lack this access to clean water, either due to ecological conditions, worsening because of climate change, or inadequate water infrastructure. Even more lack access to safely managed sanitation services, which causes illness and death.

Water pollution can happen on our streets and of course globally. It occurs when harmful chemicals or microorganisms contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other body of water, making it toxic to humans, wildlife, and the environment.

Agriculture is one of the biggest polluters from fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste, washed into bodies of water as it rains. Water is polluted by sewage and wastewater, oil from roads and from oil spills in or near bodies of water, and industrial waste. Another polluter that can stay in our water for thousands of years is radioactive waste generated by uranium mining, nuclear power plants, the production and testing of military weapons, and from research and medicine.

Most of us in this corner of the world can turn on the faucet in our homes and there is clean, fresh water that comes out. It runs and runs if we let it.

Washington’s drinking water comes from three sources: groundwater (wells and springs), surface water (lakes and rivers) and snowpack/snowmelt (supply for rivers, lakes and aquifers). Managed and protected by Seattle Public Utilities, drinking water in Shoreline usually comes from the protected watershed of the South Fork Tolt River in the Cascade Mountains.

Rain not absorbed into the earth flows into storm drains. Since it is not filtered or treated, everything on the street that washes into the storm drains goes directly to streams, lakes, and the Puget Sound. From my Echo Lake neighborhood the stormwater goes to Ballinger Lake, then to Lake Washington via McAleer Creek, then to Puget Sound.

Wastewater from flushing the toilet and drains in the house are piped to a wastewater treatment plant before going into Puget Sound. Only human waste and toilet paper go into toilets, and no grease, oil or food, medicines or chemicals should go into the drains.

Great blue heron on Lake Washington
What we can do locally about water seems pretty simple: don't pollute it and don't waste it. But many of our actions, although unintentional, do pollute, and most of us use more than we need.

I love to tell a story about carving a pumpkin with my then two-year-old daughter. I was using a little pumpkin carving knife which my daughter clearly wanted to try her hand at it. I hesitated, and she firmly said: "Mama, SHARE!"

Every morning I want to keep hearing her voice, reminding me to share. Water is a precious resource. The water we have access to must be shared, with all of life, with neighbors, between cities, and countries.

What can we do daily?

Talk to friends, neighbors, family about water. Where does it come from? How can you keep it clean? There is always something new to learn about conservation and pollution.

  • Take time to read the wonderful brochures from our utilities, cities, and water districts. Learn about what happens to the water on your street. And how neighbors can and must protect this resource.
  • Do notice how much water you use and need. In the Shoreline Climate Action plan residents are being asked in Shoreline to decrease our consumption by 27%. Do turn off the faucet, wash full loads of dishes/clothes, take short showers. Find and repair leaks.
  • Don’t use pesticides, or let oil, chemicals, or soap wash into the storm drains. Anything but rain that goes into the storm drains pollutes and hurts fish and wildlife. In Shoreline there is an adopt a storm drain program, where neighbors help drains stay clear of vegetation and everything except rainwater.

Do you buy cases of bottled water? Why? It is expensive, and comes in single use plastic bottles, covered with plastic. Marketing suggests it is better than our local tap water, failing to mention chemicals from the plastic possibly getting into the water, or how much fossil fuel was used to make the plastic, produce, fill, and transport the bottles to stores. Most plastic is not recycled, and ends up in landfills, in the ocean or transported then dumped in other countries.

Rain gardens and native landscaping help water soak into the earth. There is lots to learn about using plants, trees, and permeable surfaces in our yards. There are many ways to collect and use rainwater for watering. My mom’s family used old whiskey barrels back in the 30’s!

Many clothes are made with plastic, and when washed these fibers get into the water system and eventually the bodies of the fish, other birds, animals, and us. Microplastic pollution and ingestion in our water is a huge health and environmental problem.

Tell a neighbor you love their brown grass… and not encourage more watering and fertilizing! And never pesticides.

What would it mean to decrease freshwater use in agriculture and industry? And pollution? Where can you have impact or influence?

Ducks on Lake Washington
admiring their reflections
There is so much to learn about water, and many issues to further explore. We can listen and learn from each other. 

Thank you to the many workers in our communities that think about surface water, wastewater and of course our drinking water. And keep us educated about preserving this incredible resource.

Thanks to folks from City of Shoreline Surface and Wastewater, North City Water District, Seattle Public Utilities, Julie (environmental educator) and my husband, Sid (civil engineer) for sharing what they know and answering many questions.

Next month’s climate article will focus on saltwater and life in and near the ocean.

I hope to see you in the neighborhood… and don’t forget, “Share!”

--Diane Lobaugh

Past Shoreline Area News articles based on the pamphlet from Climate Action Shoreline: 

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After a concerning number of drownings this spring, King County officials urge caution at rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

After a concerning number of drownings and close calls this spring, King County officials are encouraging the public to be cautious during Independence Day at rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound.

At least 12 people in King County have drowned so far this year after the total number last year nearly doubled from 2018. 

Black residents in King County – who have less access to pools and swimming lessons – are two-and-a-half times more likely to drown than white residents. Recent immigrants and people who are unfamiliar with the region’s colder, swifter waters are also at greater risk due to language and cultural barriers.

The nationwide shortage of lifeguards has increased risks at local lakes. Rivers are particularly dangerous this time of year because people are looking for ways to cool off but the water in rivers can still be extremely cold, which can cause even strong swimmers to quickly lose stamina and experience hypothermia.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in King County. Last year, 29 people drowned from preventable situations in King County, nearly twice the number of drownings that occurred in 2018.


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The Sammamish River is not doing well

Friday, June 23, 2023

The Sammamish River is sick
Photo courtesy City of Kenmore

King County has embarked on an effort to create a new plan for the Sammamish River, all the way from Lake Sammamish in Redmond through Bothell and Kenmore to Lake Washington. We need your help.

Ecologically, the Sammamish River is not doing well. 

The good news is that the Sammamish River is not lost, and we can all work together to save it and bring it back to good ecological health. 

You can make a difference in this effort. Participate in King County’s online Open House and Survey. The deadline for participating is July 10, 2023.


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Ballinger Creek Restoration Project

Monday, March 20, 2023

Joint Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, Ballinger Creek Restoration Project – NE 195th and Ballinger 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has received a $100,000 grant to complete a feasibility study for the Ballinger Creek Restoration Project. This represents a significant step in moving this important salmon stream habitat restoration project forward. 

The grant was made possible because of the hard work and dedication of Senator Maria Cantwell and Representative Pramila Jayapal in ensuring our federal tax dollars come back to Washington to help fund important projects like salmon habitat restoration, which impacts the entire Puget Sound. 

The goal of the Project is to aid in salmon recovery efforts by restoring Ballinger Creek to natural conditions and restoring the habitat of threatened species. 

The grant funding will allow the Corps to complete a feasibility study and make specific recommendations for design and implementation of the Project, which will move it closer to the restoration phase. 

The Administration, including Federal lobbyist Jake Johnston, LFP Deputy Mayor French and LFP Vice Chair Kassover, representatives from Shoreline and the U.S. Army Corps met on site with Representative Jayapal and her staff to give them a better understanding of the project and thank them for their support.


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Ecology: Can we expect another drought? Washington’s water supply outlook

Saturday, March 18, 2023


It’s the time of year when people start wondering whether we can expect a drought in the near future. After multiple droughts over the last several years the question “will there be water” is likely on a lot of people’s minds. For most of the state, we’re cautiously optimistic. A few areas may see some challenges.

Snowpack

You’ll often hear a lot of talk about snowpack, or the lack thereof, when discussing water supply. Many watersheds in Washington, such as the Wenatchee and Methow River Basins, depend heavily on snowpack from the Cascade Mountains. 

During the spring and summer months, melting snow runs off into streams. A weak snowpack in the winter can result in low streamflows in the spring and summer. Even a healthy snowpack can dry up quickly if the spring and summer are unseasonably warm.

Right now, statewide, snowpack is slightly above 100 percent of normal, with runoff statewide forecasted to be just shy of average. Some basins are a little higher or lower than average. Lurking beneath the snowpack are soil-moisture deficits resulting from a dry spring and summer. Soil-moisture conditions are causing runoff forecasts to be revised downward in some basins, especially in the Okanogan and Methow basins.

--Department of Ecology



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