News Release Archive

Yakima Basin Water Supply - May Forecast

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Chuck Garner, cgarner@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: May 08, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation has just released the May 2006, forecast for irrigation water supply in the Yakima Basin. The forecast is based on flow data, current snowpack and this years precipitation data.

We are expecting a near normal water supply at this time, said Chuck Garner, Yakima Project river operations supervisor. "The May 2006 forecast indicates a full water supply for all water users."

As of May 1, system storage was 54 percent full, or about 71 percent of average.

The outlook continues to be favorable in spite of the below average precipitation this spring. Of course we must, as always, manage the water supply carefully especially with the low storage at three of our reservoirs and a dry weather forecast, Garner said.

At this time both junior and senior water rights holders are expected to receive their full water supply. Specific water delivery levels will not be determined until later in the year.

The weather conditions that determine precipitation, the run-off timing, and demand for water are critical in determining whether the reservoirs fill, the amount of water available for irrigation, and possible rationing levels. If warm, dry weather prompts an early run-off and heavy demand, the situation could worsen.

Water demands requiring storage releases, even prior to storage control, may be charged to the users total entitlement.

Reservoir storage on May 1, 2006

Reservoir Content (acre-ft) Total Capacity percent of Capacity Keechelus 92,300 157,800 58 Kachess 116,362 239,000 49 Cle Elum 180,695 436,900 41 Bumping 24,157 33,970 71 Rimrock 161,934 198,000 82 Totals 575,448 1,065,400 54

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