January to April 2026 Edition
Session 1: Shared Waters, Shared Solutions
Summary by Jessica Kuchan | Attorney at Law, Confluence Law
Caroline Mellor, Chis Voigt, Alyssa Moir, and Shaara Ainsley
The AWRA Washington State Conference started with considering the relationship between instream and out of stream water users in Washington and how these considerations inform long-term planning. and implications for long term planning. Panelists discussed recurring drought conditions, water availability challenges, and implications for meeting future water needs.
Caroline Mellor (Washington State Department of Ecology) reviewed the statutory framework for drought declarations and provided an update on the 2025 drought outlook. Chris Voigt (Washington State Potato Commission) outlined ongoing agricultural planning efforts to address water needs during drought conditions.
Alyssa Moir presented on water banking, including how efficiency improvements and changes in water use can help meet future demands. Shaara Ainsley (Long Live the Kings) described the Resilient Salmon Initiative and its work to coordinate efforts supporting salmon recovery across the region.
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