News Release Archive

Yakima Basin Water Supply - May Forecast

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Chuck Garner, 509) 575-5848 ext. 205, cgarner@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: May 07, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation has just released the May 2007, forecast for irrigation water supply in the Yakima Basin. The forecast is based on flow data, current snowpack and this year's precipitation data.

"We are expecting a near average water supply at this time," said Chuck Garner, Yakima Project river operations supervisor. "The May 2007 forecast indicates a full water supply for all water users."

As of May 1, system storage was a healthy 121 percent of average at 92 percent full.

"The overall water situation is good. The reservoir storage is very good but the snowpack is below average and spotty right now," 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, the situation could degrade.

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

Reservoir storage on May 1, 2007

Reservoir Content (acre-ft) Total Capacity percent of Capacity Keechelus 145465 157,800 92 Kachess 228302 239,000 96 Cle Elum 407880 436,900 93 Bumping 19953 33,700 59 Rimrock 176840 198,000 89 Totals 978440 1,065,400 92

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