Irrigation group urges curb on water use

Published 12:23 pm Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Sequim Gazette staff

While rainfall numbers are close to normal averages, a lack of snowpack in the Olympic Mountains has irrigation ditch managers concerned about water levels in the Dungeness River.

Ben Smith, president of the Dungeness River Agricultural Water Users Association, is asking all waters users — particularly those using irrigation ditch water — to implement conservation methods immediately.

“Sequim’s higher than normal winter temperatures has left us with critically low levels of snow pack in the mountains,” Smith said. “The snow pack that feeds the Dungeness River was at a maximum of 10 percent of normal during the winter and was 0 percent by May 1 — the beginning of summer and irrigation season. The Sequim-Dungeness Valley Water Users Association is relying on all residents in the valley to refresh their commitment to water conservation.”

Smith asks irrigation ditch water users to stop supplying water to all ponds, watering lawn and yard plants, watering home fruit and vegetable gardens that could be adequately watered from a well, and to stop or reduce watering of golf courses, playgrounds and parks.

Smith also asks irrigation companies and districts to reduce water diversions from the Dungeness River to ensure that a level of 62 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water remains. On July 24, the river dropped below 120 cfs.

“This low level has triggered our first tier drought response,” Smith said.

“Water is a limited resource and this summer more than most. Farmers in our valley rely heavily on water from the river to produce their crops and maintain their livelihood. Farmers work closely with the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Water Users Association to responsibly and efficiently use the limited water that we have (and) every farmer who uses irrigation water is acutely aware of our drought situation and is taking steps to conserve water.

“Unfortunately this year, with the low snow pack, this will not be enough.”

Smith said city residents can help by using less water, so that less water will have to be drawn from the city wells. In turn, less water will be drawn from the Dungeness River to replenish the aquifers supplying these wells.

That holds true for those with private wells, Smith said.

“Any water you save will draw less from the river to refill the aquifer,” he said. “Persons using water from any irrigation ditch or canal, who can decrease their usage, will allow more water to be left in the river.”