The Office of the Washington State Climatologist, Climate Impacts Group, and partners release 2021 PNW Water Year Impacts Assessment

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The 2021 Pacific Northwest Water Year Impacts Assessment summarizes the water year conditions and related impacts experienced by farmers, water managers, fisheries managers, and other natural resource managers.

ACCESS THE ASSESSMENT

This assessment describes the climate of the water year and related impacts. For several years, researchers, water and resource managers, and organizations working to integrate research and resource management in Oregon and Washington have held a joint Water Year Recap and Outlook meeting. A separate but similar meeting in Idaho is also held each year. In addition to these annual water year meetings, an Annual Pacific Northwest Water Year Impacts Survey is used to collect information on water year impacts for multiple sectors. Impacts are summarized in this assessment  primarily based on information from the meeting discussions, the survey, and author expertise. Drought and, to a lesser extent, the June 2021 heat wave and its impacts are the focus of this report.

The lead author, Karin Bumbaco, is from the UW Office of the Washington State Climatologist.Two authors of the report – Crystal Raymond and Matthew Rogers – are scientists at the UW Climate Impacts Group. The Oregon State Climatologist, and Idaho Department of Water Resources also developed the report with support from National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) and state and regional partners.

Overall, the 2021 water year was warmer and drier than normal for the Pacific Northwest. As a whole, the 2021 water year tied 2016 as the fifth warmest and tied 1915 as the 17th driest (83% of normal precipitation) on record (since 1895; NOAA NCEI).

Agriculture, forestry, drinking water, fisheries, and recreation sectors were affected by the abnormally dry conditions. Impacts included less surface water available for agriculture and fishes, water rights restrictions, reduced crop yields, plant stress, tree mortality, and voluntary water restrictions. Impacts were particularly widespread in central and southern Oregon, eastern Washington, and several river basins in Idaho. The assessment details the impacts and responses to these impacts.

Please contact Karin Bumbao (kbumbaco@uw.edu) or Crystal Raymond (clrfire@uw.edu) if you have any questions on this assessment or comments for future assessments.

Funding Opportunity: Call for Statements of Interest for NW CASC Research

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The Climate Adaptation Science Center Network, made up of nine regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers serving all US states, territories and affiliated Pacific Islands, is coming together to advance climate adaptation science through its Federal Fiscal Year 2022 funding opportunity. Through this funding opportunity, an estimated $10 million may be available across the network for research to support natural and cultural resource managers making science-based, climate adaptation decisions!

As part of this effort, the NW CASC is seeking proposals for Northwest climate adaptation research. Proposed projects should focus on developing scientific information and products that can be directly applied to the following resource management priorities, either locally or broadly across landscapes in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and western Montana:

  • Management of Invasive Species and Diseases under Future Climate Scenarios
  • Management of Shrubland Ecosystems under Future Climate Scenarios
  • Managing Climate-driven, Post-fire Ecological Transformation

Individuals from the following eligible organizations may submit proposals as the lead Principal Investigator:

  • Members of the NW CASC Consortium (Boise State University, Oregon State University, University of Montana, University of Washington, Washington State University, Western Washington University)
  • USGS centers, field stations, laboratories, Cooperative Research Units, etc.
  • Researchers from other organizations (federal, state, tribal, non-governmental and other) may participate in CASC-funded projects and receive funds via subawards, contracts or interagency agreements through an eligible organization.

An informational webinar about this opportunity will be held on Tuesday, February 16 at 3 p.m. (PT). You can find the Zoom information in the RFP linked below.

The deadline for Statements of Interest is: Friday, March 19, 2021 | 2 p.m. (PT)

SEE THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Plan for Climate Resilience Announced for Washington State

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A recent report from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) details the steps that can be taken to minimize the threat of climate change on local farms, forests, and communities. Dr. Crystal Raymond, climate adaptation specialist, is quoted. “The potential impacts of climate change can seem dire, but the consequences for our natural systems, economies, and local communities don’t have to be,” Dr. Raymond said. “The sooner we collectively act to plan for and manage climate risks, the better prepared we will all be.”