Drought Claims First Irrigation “Victim” – Kittitas County Shuts Off Water

The largest irrigation system in Kittitas County (which includes the cities of Ellensburg, Thorpe, and Cle Elum) has announced they will cease water deliveries for the rest of the 2015 season, due to extreme drought conditions.

The Kittitas Reclamation District, which serves over 2,600 customers, has basically run out of water.  Due to the extremely low snowpack and other drought factors, officials say they won't be able to deliver enough water to make operations worthwhile.

Kittitas County starts on the West side of the Columbia River by Vantage, and runs Northwest up towards Seattle.  Hardest hit will be the agricultural customers, who will now have to try to figure out how to get any water for their crops.

The District will cease water deliveries by this Saturday completely, well ahead of their usual October 15th termination date.  Officials say at peak performance earlier this season they were only at 47% of normal water supply and deliveries.