Developing Drought Indicators and Triggers for the Pacific Northwest States: Sharing Knowledge Across the Western US

After years of severe drought, the state of Colorado engaged in a multi-sector, intensive water planning process at the state-level. In 2008, they identified a series of drought indicators and ‘triggers’ to incorporate into their statewide drought plan. To develop these triggers, Colorado brought to the table a number of water experts, climatologists, planners, and managers to develop numeric and narrative criteria for drought planning in their state. In 2015, the Pacific Northwest experienced one of its worst droughts on record. Low snowpack in the mountains led to water-stressed areas across the region. During this drought, the Pacific Northwest states realized their drought plans were either outdated, ineffective, or incapable of handling an event of this magnitude. Many of the drought and water management issues that the Pacific Northwest face are similar to Colorado: the sensitivity of snowpack for water supply, balancing competing uses, and a significant recreation component. The concept of bringing together experts from Colorado, planners, and climatologists to develop drought triggers in the Pacific Northwest was hatched during a brainstorm at the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Engaging Preparedness Communities meeting in early 2016 in Lincoln, NE. As a part of the newly-launched Pacific Northwest Drought Early Warning System, we are bringing together a small group of people from the Pacific Northwest states to participate in an intensive and focused workshop to transfer knowledge across these western states. Drought coordinators from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana will work with the drought coordinator from Colorado, the National Drought Mitigation Center, the National Integrated Drought Information System, the Climate Impacts Research Consortium, the state climate offices, and the Western Regional Climate Center to develop a set of region-wide and state specific triggers for drought planning and preparation. We will talk about the inception of the idea, as well as the process, and any outcomes and next steps from the September 2016 meeting in Boise, ID.