Water Conservation Resources for Farmers and Gardeners
On April 8, 2026, a drought declaration was issued for all watersheds in Washington state due to low snowpack and multiple years of low precipitation. A drought declaration is made when there is 75% less water than normal and this shortage causes hardship to people or the environment.
Drought Impacts on Farmers
Drought conditions are especially hard on farmers. WSU Extension is available to provide technical assistance to growers across the Northern Olympic Peninsula. If you are farmer interested in reducing your water use, improving soil moisture, or in need of irrigation advice, check out the resource list below!
Soil Moisture Sensor Project
WSU extension recently installed Watermark Soil Moisture Sensors on six farms throughout the Olympic Peninsula, in partnership with the Clallam County Conservation District. Gathering soil moisture data can improve irrigation management and help farmers better understand crop water stress.
If you are a farmer who would like to receive a soil moisture probe or has questions about them, contact samantha.grieger@wsu.edu for more information.
Irrigation Resources & Tools
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Efficient Irrigation can greatly reduce water use on a farm or garden.
- WSU Regional Small Farms Program – Water, Weather & Drought
- Ag Weather Net by WSU
- Irrigation Schedule Mobile
- Weather Guided Irrigation Management Seminar
Dry & Low Water Farming
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Dry farming makes use of soil moisture instead of irrigation during the dry season.
Soil Health & Water Retention
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Healthy soil improves soil water retention and crop water efficiency.
- Soil Health Initiative by WSU
- Estimating soil moisture by texture and appearance
- Lecture: Soil management in dry farming
- Soil testing for vegetables
Garden Water Use
In the Sequim area, watering a ¼ acre of lawn during peak summer months can use between 850 to over 1,000 gallons per day
Gardeners: What Can You Do to Save Water?
In the Lawn:
- Don’t water the lawn. Let it go gold this summer. It will turn green again with fall rains.
- Don’t mow too low. Tall grass grows long roots which can reach deep soil moisture.
- If you have to water grass, water infrequently but deeply.
In the Garden:
- Water during cool times of day, morning or evening.
- Use drip irrigation or a soaker hose.
- Collect rainwater from your roof. Learn more about rainwater collection here.
- Mulch bare ground to stop soil from drying out.
- Plant native plants or drought tolerant plants that can handle a dry summer.
In the Drive:
- Use a broom to clean debris off driveways and sidewalks, rather than a hose.
- Reduce washing your car at home. Do it at a carwash where water is recycled.
Additional Resources
About the Drought:
- Drought Conditions in Clallam County
- Ecology’s Statewide Drought Conditions
- Elwha River flow conditions
- Dungeness River flow conditions
- National Water and Climate Center interactive map
Local Water Management Organizations:
Resources for Saving Water at Home:
The Story of Water Project
Interested in learning more about how water moves through your local watershed? Check out the Story of Water lecture series created by League of Women Voters and other local collaborators in 2019.
