Water Supply Outlook - Summer 2025

As we enjoy the long days and sunny skies that this beautiful summer brings, remember to consider our water supply. As the snowpack wanes, the City’s water consumption increases. Tourism, festivals, and other events are just a few things that bring vitality to Port Townsend.  These elements as well as irrigation, outdoor cleaning, and personal hydration are naturally on the rise when the stream flows are falling.

The City of Port Townsend’s drinking water comes from the Big and Little Quilcene Rivers.  Water stored in Lords Lake reservoir provides water when low stream flows or storm events limit water withdrawals from the rivers. Lords Lake contains enough water to sustain us for approximately two and a half months. Historically, precipitation and snowpack in the Olympic Mountains provide ample stream flows to supply most needs until early September. Water stored in Lords Lake helps to meet customer demand until autumn rains restore stream flows. 

This summer, the rivers are experiencing diminished stream flows earlier than in an average year. Based on current patterns and data provided by USGS National Water Information System (above), it is anticipated that withdrawal from Lords Lake Reservoir will begin approximately two and a half weeks earlier than average. This graph and additional stream flow information is available online at USGS Current Conditions for USGS 12052210 BIG QUILCENE RIVER BELOW DIVERSION NR QUILCENE, WA
 

What can we do to conserve our water resources? An important part of water conservation is using common sense. Are we using water in an efficient manner? Here are a few useful tips for getting the most out of our water as we endeavor to keep our lawns and gardens healthy.

Sprinklers typically lose 25-50% of the water through evaporation, wind, and surface run off.  Cliff Mass, University of Washington Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, explains the science of spray at http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/08/how-to-reduce-water-waste-from.html.  Watering deeply and less frequently makes plants more resilient to dry spells by encouraging root growth. Deep watering can be achieved by watering during cooler periods which minimizes evaporation. Consider weather and soil type and irrigate accordingly. Water can also be conserved by allowing lawns to go dormant, however it may be necessary to water deeply once a month in summer to keep the roots alive.

Find helpful water conservation tips here!