Washington declares statewide drought emergency

Washington state has declared a statewide drought emergency after officials said dismal snowpack threatens water supplies heading into summer.

The Washington Department of Ecology issued the declaration on April 8, 2026, saying the low snowpack could leave parts of the state short of water during the dry season. The agency also opened up to $3 million in drought response grants as part of the state’s response.

The declaration follows weeks of concern over the state’s snowpack and water outlook. Independent reporting and climate summaries from Washington institutions described snowpack as unusually low across much of the state, adding to worries about summer shortages and wildfire risk.

Officials have not listed any additional statewide restrictions in the declaration, but the emergency status gives the state more flexibility to respond if conditions worsen. The move also highlights how quickly a poor winter snowpack can translate into water stress later in the year.

The drought emergency is another sign of how spring conditions are shaping the 2026 water season in Washington. With open questions still remaining about local impacts, officials are urging close monitoring of water-supply conditions as the season progresses.