The Current Status of the Most Important Water Source in the Northwest: The Columbia River

When it comes to our summer water supply, nothing is as important as the Columbia River.

It is the largest regional source of water for agriculture.

Its water is the largest source of power in the region.

Its water supports important salmon runs.  

And Columbia River water is used for drinking purposes in some communities.

This year, the water availability of the Columbia River should be very close to normal, with no hint of drought conditions.

Let's start at the water level of Lake Roosevelt behind Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River (below).   The blue color indicates this year's level, which is almost exactly at normal levels (red line).

 

Or we can look at the predicted water supply for April through September at Grand Coulee Dam, with the latest predictions on the right side.  The forecast is only slightly below normal (green line).    The water supply on the river looks quite adequate this summer.

The Columbia River is in good shape because precipitation over southern BC was near normal this year, and the snowpack in the Columbia headwaters is near normal (see below)

Also encouraging is the substantial precipitation predicted through July 4  over western Canada (see below).

As I have suggested in earlier blogs, there is little reason to talk about drought over the Pacific Northwest this year,