Climate report shows Yakima Basin vulnerable to future water supply problems

By Kate Prengaman
Yakima Herald-Republic

From earlier snow melts to more wildfires, the Yakima River Basin is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, according to a new national report released Tuesday by the Obama administration.

The report, the third U.S. National Climate Assessment, emphasizes that communities across the country are already experiencing some effects of climate change, from intense storms to devastating droughts. The administration hopes the report, written by more than 250 scientists, will spur action to cut carbon dioxide emissions and adapt to already changing conditions.

In the Northwest, scientists say basins such as the Yakima Basin are the most vulnerable to future water supply problems. That’s because the basin is already over-allocated and the current system is highly dependent on winter snow to meet summer demands. Read more