Welcome to the Kennewick Irrigation District drought information page.
We encourage you to read this page carefully and take steps to conserve water now so that your lawn can stay healthy despite watering restrictions.
Drought News
4/16/2024 | Statewide drought declared due to low snowpack and dry forecast
4/4/2024 | Water Conservation Begins with You — Get Involved!
03/06/2024 | Reclamation announces Yakima basin March water supply forecast
02/27/2024 | Is La Niña making a return next winter? What does that mean for WA’s weather in 2024?
2/7/2024 | WA’s mountain snow recharges our drinking water, powers our lives. Now it’s turning to rain.
2/1/2024 | July Drought Declaration Still in Effect
12/14/2023 | ‘Super El Niño’ Odds Now A Coin Flip, NOAA’s December Update Says. But It May Not Behave Like One.
11/9/2023 | El Niño Has Officially Become Strong, NOAA’s November Update Says
10-27-2023 | Forecast says El Niño will be strong this winter. Here’s what it means for WA weather
9-13-2023 | Yakima Basin Integrated Plan – 2023 Drought and 2024 Water Supply Outlook
9-1-2023 | The Blob is back! Here’s what that means for both salmon and winter sports in the PNW
8-30-2023 | Water Supply Update – Time to start thinking about water supplies in 2024
7-24-2023 | Ecology Declares Drought Emergency in 12 Counties
Drought Tips
Retraining Your Lawn – Learn tips for preparing your lawn for a low water year.
Watering Tips from KID – Do you need a few suggestions on ways to conserve water or to landscape more intelligently for a drier climate?
Xeriscaping – Gardening with native plants can cut water use by up to 65% compared to traditional lawns. The Heritage Garden Program is a free service through the Benton Conservation District dedicated to helping residents create waterwise gardens through the use of native and drought tolerant plants. Learn more and schedule a free site visit.
Native Plant Nurseries and Grower Locations – A resource, including a list of helpful books, for anyone interested in planting native and low-water vegetation.
Plant Hardiness – Go here and enter your zip code or select Washington to help determine which plants will do best in your area.
Irrigation – Information for irrigators on fish screening, irrigation efficiency conversions and irrigation water management.
100+ Ways to Conserve – When it comes to conserving water, small adjustments can have a big impact. Here you can sort through nearly 200 water-saving tips, download and print tip posters or share your favorites on social media.
Watering Tips – Your local WSU Extension Service Master Gardener can be called at (509) 736-2726. Master Gardeners are usually available at their offices (5600 W Canal Place in Kennewick) from 10:00 a.m. until noon and 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Drip Irrigation for the Yard and Garden
A Brown Lawn is not Necessarily a Dead Lawn– Grass is not like a tree. When a tree turns brown over the summer, it’s more than likely dead. Grasses, particularly cool-season species, are built to turn brown.
Dormant Grass VS Dead Grass – Can you tell the difference?