SPOKANE, Wash. – According to United States Geological Survey monitoring, the Spokane River has dropped below 1,000 cubic feet per second. This means that, according to Spokane’s city ordinance, the city will enter level 2 drought response.
Water conservation measures were added to City of Spokane’s municipal code in 2022, which modify the regulations on water usage based on Spokane River water levels.
Level 1 response takes effect by default between June 1 and October 1.
During this response, regulations completely restrict outdoor weathering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., limit watering to no more than four days a week, and suggest no more than two hours watering per day and suggest excluding using water to clean hardscapes like sidewalks.
Level 2, which is now in effect, heightens these restrictions.
The restriction on watering during 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. still applies. However, it also limits watering to no more than two days a week rather than four. It also makes the suggestions about watering no more than two hours a day into a restriction, as well as making a restriction out of the advice on not using water to clean hardscapes.
“Collective small steps make a big difference, and this is a seasonal reminder that anything we can do to protect Spokane River flows benefits our drinking water source, the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer,” says Public Works Director Marlene Feist. “Thank you to those who incorporated the suggested watering schedule to make a difference.”
