California is in the midst of a fierce water war, a conflict that holds lessons for us in Washington state.

In many ways, we are alike.  Both of our states’ populations are growing and we have some of the world’s most prolific agriculture regions which require lots of water.

Washington is served by a vast network of storage reservoirs that make up the Columbia River drainage.  It stretches from the northern Canadian Rockies to as far south as Wyoming.

On the other hand, California with its 38 million people has a series of reservoirs in the Sierra Nevada Mountains but draws heavily from the Colorado River.

A 1922 compact governs the amount each state takes from Colorado River. A big problem is California, which gets two-thirds of its water from the Colorado, has taken more than its share. Now the State of Colorado wants to keep more of water for its population growth.

Even wet years, there is barely enough water in California to nourish arid farmlands, supply thirsty cities and flush young salmon down its rivers to the sea.

In early March, California’s hydrologic survey revealed that the Sierra Nevada snowpack is far below normal and 2015 could be the lowest in nearly 25 years.

The stakes are high and tensions are growing.  It is estimated that water from the Colorado River alone adds $1.48 trillion to our nation’s economy.

Even if the Pacific Northwest could bail out California, this year would not be the year to do so. We too are short of snow in the Cascades.  At the end of February, some snowpack monitoring stations near Mount Hood recorded no snow for the first time in at least 33 years.

The bottom line is we also need water for our 1.8 million irrigated acres of farmland, of which three-fourths depends on surface water accumulated in reservoirs.

Our state must protect its $49 billion food and agriculture industry which employs approximately 160,000 people and contributes 13 percent of the state’s economy.  Our state’s population is growing as well; surpassing seven million people.

Competing interests in our state must find ways to avert what is going on in California.  It won’t be easy, but taking the battle to Congress, state capitols and courts only creates winners and losers. Solving this problems requires creative leaders and innovative thinkers with broad vision who are able to find common ground, compromise and new approaches.