State ecology officials have declared a drought for central Washington for the third year in a row. 

Reservoirs serving the Yakima Valley are at 59% of their capacity, the fifth lowest level in more than 50 years, according to a release. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is already anticipating that irrigators with pro-ratable water rights may receive just over half of their normal water supply this irrigation season. 

“The time for miracles has passed,” said Casey Sixkiller, Ecology’s director, in a statement. “We hoped we’d recover this winter from the compounding deficits of back-to-back droughts. But we’ve simply run out of time for Yakima and nearby areas. Reservoirs in that region are still just half full, so we need to take action now to prepare for drought and deal with those impacts.” 

Drought impacts in the Yakima Basin have far-reaching effects for the rest of the state. The region’s agricultural economy generates $4.5 billion each year, producing 71% of the nation’s hops, 63% of apples, 62% of cherries, and significant portions of other crops like pears, raspberries, blueberries, and asparagus, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

State ag officials say a drought that results in 70% of normal water supply would affect over 6,000 jobs and create $161 million to $424 million in direct losses. 

The Kennewick Irrigation District, which receives its water from the Yakima River, already has a voluntary water rationing program in place. It has said that mandatory rationing may be required as the irrigation season progresses. 

For the coming water year, Ecology is making up to $4.5 million available in drought emergency response grants to eligible public entities to respond to water supply impacts from the current drought conditions.