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Planning for a Drier Future:
WWCCD Launches Project to Draft a Drought Preparedness Plan

Over the past decade, drought emergencies have been declared in Walla Walla County five times, with statewide declarations occurring as recently as 2024. In response, the Walla Walla County Conservation District (WWCCD) is leading a collaborative initiative to develop a Drought Preparedness Plan for the Walla Walla River Basin. This plan aims to help our communities, farms, and ecosystems better prepare for and respond to future droughts by addressing the environmental, social, and economic impacts that may result from drought conditions.

Why the Walla Walla Basin Needs a Drought Plan

Drought conditions include declining snowpack, earlier snowmelt, higher temperatures, and lower summer precipitation, all of which reduce the amount of water available for people, farms, and our rivers. These changes have a particular impact on:

Agricultural producers through reduced yields and irrigation challenges
Municipalities facing water shortages and infrastructure strain
River habitats and wildlife that depend on consistent flows

Community-Driven Planning

WWCCD is committed to inclusive engagement, and our planning process includes:

Workshops with agricultural producers, municipalities, and industrial providers
Public outreach through informational handouts, newsletters, and social media posts
In-person outreach at events, such as the Return to the River Salmon Festival and the Walla Walla Watershed Strategy Open House
A survey of agricultural producers to understand how drought is affecting agricultural operations across the Walla Walla Basin
Future workshops and open houses to share draft recommendations

The plan is funded by the Washington State Department of Ecology and aligns with the Walla Walla Water 2050 Strategic Plan, which includes goals to improve basin-wide drought preparedness and coordination.