1. Mason CountyMason County
Drought PreparationDrought Preparation
Jocelyne Gray, PE, Director of Operations-Water
Mason County Public Utility District No. 1
South Sound Section

2. Washington State Definition ofWashington State Definition of
Drought:Drought:
• An area has to be experiencing orAn area has to be experiencing or
projected to experience a waterprojected to experience a water
supply that is below 75 percent ofsupply that is below 75 percent of
normal, andnormal, and
• Water users within those areasWater users within those areas
will likely incur undue hardships aswill likely incur undue hardships as
a result of the shortage.a result of the shortage.

3. Snow PackSnow Pack
• March 13, 2015 – first declarationMarch 13, 2015 – first declaration
(11 watersheds)(11 watersheds)
– The The east slope of the Centraleast slope of the Central
CascadesCascades
– The The Walla WallaWalla Walla River River
– The The Olympic PeninsulaOlympic Peninsula ,,
primarily in Jefferson and Clallam primarily in Jefferson and Clallam
counties. counties.

4. Snow PackSnow Pack
• April 17, 2015 – second declarationApril 17, 2015 – second declaration
– 13 watersheds added13 watersheds added
– 24 total watersheds effected24 total watersheds effected
– Mason County now includedMason County now included
– Still receiving normal rainfallStill receiving normal rainfall
– Snow Water Equivalent = 3%Snow Water Equivalent = 3%

6. Snow PackSnow Pack
• May 15, 2015 – third declarationMay 15, 2015 – third declaration
– Statewide declarationStatewide declaration
– Zero snow packZero snow pack
• June 2015June 2015
– Warmer than normalWarmer than normal
– DryDry

17. CollaborationCollaboration
• County EmergencyCounty Emergency
ManagementManagement
• County ConservationCounty Conservation
DistrictDistrict
• Evergreen RuralEvergreen Rural
Water of WashingtonWater of Washington
• Other Water ProvidersOther Water Providers
• Fire DistrictsFire Districts
• State ODWState ODW
• State EcologyState Ecology
• Local TribesLocal Tribes
• Public HealthPublic Health
• Community HospitalsCommunity Hospitals
• MACECOMMACECOM

18. Drought FindingsDrought Findings
• Well levelsWell levels
• ConservationConservation
• PlanningPlanning
Outdoor Water Usage Voluntary Conservation:
Outdoor water includes: irrigation; washing vehicles;
spraying/washing driveways and sidewalks; filling pools
and hot tubs should not be used except on designated
days as follows: Odd numbered street addresses will
water on odd numbered days of the month and even
numbered street addresses will water on even numbered
days of the month.

19. Drought FindingsDrought Findings
• Well levelsWell levels
• MeetingsMeetings
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
SS VRH
1
VRH
2
AB 1
Pump Test
Jul-15
Mar-16
STATIC GROUNDWATER LEVELS

20. Golf Course
29 million gallons – May 1 to Oct 1
10 MG per month in July and August
Previous high record use 20 MG (44% increase)
Avg May to Oct Usage for 2009 through
2014 – 17 MG (2015 usage 70% increase)

21. Resort
8.5 million gallons – April 1 to Sept 1
Previous high record use 8.2 MG (5% increase)
Avg April to Sept Usage for 2009 through
2014 – 6.2 MG (2015 usage 37% increase)

22. ClosingClosing
Jocelyne Gray, PEJocelyne Gray, PE
Director of Operations - WaterDirector of Operations - Water
Mason County PUD No. 1Mason County PUD No. 1
jocelyneg@mason-pud1.orgjocelyneg@mason-pud1.org
mason-pud1.orgmason-pud1.org
www.linkedin.com/in/jocelynegray/www.linkedin.com/in/jocelynegray/