Ongoing drought drains Pacific NW hydropower generation

“Exceptional” drought conditions in the Pacific Northwest region and continental U.S. are draining the potential to generate hydroelectricity by double-digit percentages.

The U.S. Drought Monitor reported by early November, 87.2% of the continental U.S. was experiencing “drier-than-normal conditions to exception drought” conditions. This figure is 15% higher over the previous month. Persistently low water levels affect reliance on coal and natural gas as well as water supply for agriculture and urban communities.

While drought is impacting the country, in particular the Pacific Northwest is reporting worrisome low reservoir water levels. The majority of the nation’s hydropower generating capacity is located in the four-state region According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oregon basins were at 48% of capacity as of early October. Washington basins were fairing slightly better at 67% and 60% in Idaho for the same period of record. Montana basins were at 76% of capacity after a late September storm brought extra-heavy rainfall. Rainbands or convective bands set a new highest total rainfall in a 24-hour period. Subsequently, the state ended the 2024 water year more than 150% of normal precipitation.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has forecast that hydropower generation in 2024 will be 13% lower than the 10-year average, marking the lowest output since 2001. The same edition of the Short-Term Energy Outlook anticipates that the Northwest region will generate 23% less than the 10-year average.