Environment 'This is unprecedented:' Ecology restricts surface water use in the Yakima River Basin
In a rare move, all surface water rights holders in the Yakima River Basin will see their water curtailed due to lack of available water.
The Washington Department of Ecology is ordering a halt to surface water use from Oct. 6 through the end of October, according to a news release.
Record-low reservoir storage and poor stream flows as the basin suffered a third year of drought conditions led up to the decision, which Ecology calls a necessary step to preserve water for fish and the most senior water rights. Available water is expected to run out on Oct. 6.
Ecology estimates the restrictions may affect more than 1,500 water right holders.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/10/03/this-is-unprecedented-ecology-restricts-surface-water-use-in-the-yakima-river-basin/