Laserfiche WebLink
CITY OF EVERETT <br /> DROUGHT RESPONSE PLAN <br /> (4-30-01) <br /> OBJECTIVE <br /> The Drought Response Plan (DRP) establishes procedures for managing water supply <br /> and demand during periods of weather-related shortages. This will help maintain <br /> essential public health and safety services, and minimize adverse impacts on the local <br /> economy, the environment, and the lifestyle of our residents. <br /> OVERVIEW <br /> Droughts are naturally occurring but unpredictable weather events of varying frequency, <br /> duration and severity. In the Everett Water Service Area (EWSA), there is a low <br /> probability of a multi-year drought, but unusual weather events can cause short-term <br /> shortages by affecting the annual refill and draw-down of the Spada Reservoir. This can <br /> occur in one or more of the following ways: <br /> • A dry fall and/or winter can disrupt the refill cycle which normally replenishes the <br /> Spada Reservoir. <br /> • A less than normal winter snowpack can limit the volume of flows from snowmelt <br /> in the spring to refill Spada Reservoir. <br /> • Unusually warm and dry spring weather can cause an early melting of the <br /> snowpack and an early filling and draw-down of Spada Reservoir. <br /> • Unusually warm and dry summer weather can significantly increase peak summer <br /> season demands and the draw-down Spada reservoir. <br /> The DRP identifies the range of demand reduction actions that are available and defines <br /> the mechanism(s) by which decisions will be made during a drought event. Since each <br /> drought situation has unique characteristics, the DRP cannot address all scenarios, or all <br /> of the supply and demand management actions that might be appropriate to a given <br /> situation. As a result, the DRP is a general framework of actions that will be tailored to <br /> meet the specific needs of drought-related supply situation. <br /> In addition to meeting the needs of the City and its wholesale water customers, the DRP <br /> is designed to achieve three goals. First, the DRP ensures that an adequate quantity of <br /> high quality water is maintained throughout a drought event. Second, the DRP ensures <br /> that adequate instream flows are maintained in the Sultan River for fish and wildlife <br /> habitat. Third, where feasible, the DRP maintains adequate storage for the generation <br /> of hydroelectric power. While there is little latitude with the first two goals, the third <br /> may be suspended depending on the severity of a drought event. <br /> 1 <br />