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Mild winter raising fears about water

North Cascade file photo

by Associated Press

Posted on February 9, 2010 at 12:49 PM

Updated Tuesday, Feb 9 at 12:49 PM

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SPOKANE - The mild winter in Washington is causing some worry for managers of the state's water supply.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is estimating the winter snowpack is now just 74 percent of average, down from 84 percent just a month ago. Snowpack conditions in the Green River basin are only one-third of normal.

Snow that falls in the mountains and melts during warmer months is a major source of water across the state.

The agency said record high temperatures and below-average precipitation mean there may not be enough runoff to fill reservoirs that supply cities and farms this summer.
 

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chuckstr76 said on February 9, 2010 at 2:51 PM

Silly people, the snow is on the east coast. More this year then in recorded history in Washington DC.

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detour said on February 9, 2010 at 3:00 PM

I wonder if this will be the excuse to raise the water rates?

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kameha said on February 9, 2010 at 3:20 PM

yes, they are already planning the rate hike and they have the excuss they were looking for for this year. of course they find a reason every year to hike the rates, too much snow, not enough snow, doesn't matter. on the bright side, with only 1/3 of the snow, that should mean no flooding in the green river valley right? wrong.

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