WASHINGTON STATE – The Yakima Basin is experiencing one of the worst droughts in over 30 years, leading to an unprecedented halt on surface water use by the Department of Ecology . This decision affects many across the state.

Heather Simmons, Water Resource Section Manager for the Department of Ecology, explained the situation.

"We regulate based on priority. And so, if the most senior user cannot get their water, then all other junior users must shut off," said Simmons.

She noted that that's exactly what happened; the basin's streamflow is so low that even the most senior water right holders are not receiving enough water. The recent dry climate has contributed to these low levels.

"We are just seeing no fall precipitation so far and our stream flows are also extremely low. And then

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