The loss of perennial snowfields during the past thirty years, combined with the potential for lower annual snowpack and increased air temperatures, is decreasing water supplies. Mount Rainier National Park’s water supply primarily depends on streams and lakes fed by snowmelt and perennial snowfields. For example, the water at Sunrise comes from Frozen Lake, entirely fed by snowmelt. Warming temperatures correspond with shifts from solid to liquid precipitation (more rain, less snow) resulting in earlier snowmelt. This means there is less water later in the summer. Park visitation is increasing, putting more pressure on the limited park water supplies.
Mount Rainier National Park is taking steps to develop a range of water supply options and park management strategies to adapt to climate change, including:
- Increased water storage capacity.
- Groundwater investigations to potentially supplement stream and lake water sources.
- Reducing park water usage.
Please do your part when visiting by not wasting water!
NPS Photo of Frozen Lake, taken 8/9/21. ~kl
