The Spokane River dropped below 1,000 cubic feet per second on July 17, triggering the city’s Level 2 Drought Response. The drought response outlines suggested watering rules to conserve water usage and prevent further diminishing of the river’s water levels.
The suggestions in the outline include no outdoor watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., limiting watering to two days per week and two hours per day and no water usage on hard surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways and patios.
Katelyn Scott, water protector with the Spokane Riverkeeper, a nonprofit focused on environmental activism and conservation, said the drought response is crucial in preventing further declines in the river’s water, which could severely damage local ecosystems and the city’s future water supply…