Water is more than just a resource for us; it’s life. Here at Yakima Chief Hops, we see it every day, flowing from the snow-capped peaks into our hop yards, fueling our fields with flavor and terroir. The hop itself is a testament to its importance: a hop cone is roughly 75% water. Every drop matters. Most brewers would agree that without hops and water, there is no beer.

This World Water Day, March 22nd, we want to celebrate the essential role water plays in our communities and our craft and share how we are working to protect it.

Snowpack: Our “Sixth Reservoir”

On a quiet winter morning in the Pacific Northwest, you might notice the hills beyond dusted in snow. It’s a peaceful scene, but it’s more than just a backdrop. This snowpack, often referred to as the “sixth reservoir,” stores the water that will nourish our crops over the coming year.

The pristine headwaters of the Cascade Mountain range are where our water begins its journey to sustain the valleys below. For our growers, these landscapes are both treasured and essential. Winter is a time for planning and preparation, as farmers and the surrounding community closely monitor snowpack levels to help forecast the upcoming season. As spring approaches, the focus shifts to a question central to every farm: How much water will we have this season, and when will it arrive?

Growers rely on science, data, and collaboration to answer that question. Snowpack levels, watershed monitoring, and irrigation district updates help guide decisions. In the Yakima Valley, tools like the Bureau of Reclamation’s Pacific Northwest Reservoir Map provide essential insights. The real issue our growers face is timing. Timing is everything. Water in January doesn’t have the same impact as water flowing during the May through September growing window when crops need water the most.

Every drop matters. From crop growth and quality to hop cone flavor and aroma, all the way to the finished beer that brings people together, conserving and protecting this vital resource is central to the work we do at YCH.

On-Farm Water Conservation

Water conservation at the farm takes many forms. The adoption of drip irrigation has reduced water use by approximately 60% compared with traditional sprinkler and open-ditch (furrow) systems that were still commonly used on farms as recently as a decade ago.

Technology has further transformed water stewardship. Soil moisture probes and irrigation monitoring tools help growers optimize water delivery, ensuring crops receive exactly what they need on a well-regulated schedule. No more, no less.

Water efficiency starts long before the water hits the fields. For YCH, it begins with hop breeding and the development of high-yielding hop varieties. When our growers can produce more per acre, they can spread water demand across greater output. This approach isn’t just about using less water; it’s about optimizing land and resources to maximize the value of every drop.

Land use is a critical concept that’s often overlooked in water conservation. By generating more hops per acre, we reduce water intensity per crop, making each field more efficient and resilient. Water stewardship isn’t measured by limiting use alone; it’s done through thoughtful planning, efficient farming, and making every resource count.

Water Conservation at Yakima Chief Hops

Water conservation efforts don’t stop at the farm. In the production of hop products, such as CO2 Extract, water is used as a coolant during extraction. This water is then diverted to a retention pond, which is used for landscaping irrigation and absorbed back into the local water table.

In 2025, we installed a high-pressure pump at our Sunnyside facility, which saves us about 10,000 gallons of water per day by recirculating water throughout our extraction process. This is a monumental upgrade, and with water-monitoring equipment throughout our plants, we can continue to reduce our consumption.

Collaborating for Healthy Watersheds

Effective water stewardship demands collaboration. YCH partners with nonprofits and advocacy groups throughout the Pacific Northwest, from boots-on-the-ground watershed cleanups to policy-level conservation initiatives. In 2025, we participated in 17 comment letters supporting projects like the Trust Land Transfer, which protects nearly 6,000 acres of ecologically valuable forest here in the state of Washington and impacts important headwaters of the watersheds our growers rely on.

There is true power in working with others and building strong coalitions to stand up and advocate for clean water, public lands, and access to the wild and scenic places we love so much. One way we showcase our involvement is through purposeful collaborations with brewers.

Looking Ahead

The future of water conservation efforts is promising. Real-time data, precision irrigation, and climate-resilient hop varieties are just the beginning. As droughts and changing snow patterns become more common, optimizing water use and fostering resilient agriculture will be essential.

YCH and our brewshed partners are committed to continuing this work by combining innovation, collaboration, and a passion for environmental stewardship. After all, protecting water today means protecting the beers we’ll raise tomorrow!