Water storage problems threaten many areas.

As drought afflicts the state, water supplies are shrinking dramatically in many areas -- as demands continue to grow.

In its recently released report, the state Water Storage Task Force notes that "a growing state population, a healthy economy and declines in salmon populations have created a call for increased water supplies."

Some communities now lack enough water for growth and development. They include North Bend, Baffle Ground, Lynden, Granger, Warden, Cle Elum, Tieton and East Spokane.

"One solution for the state's water supply problem," the report says, "is to store water when there is excess runoff and stream flows, and deliver or release …