News Release Archive

Yakima Basin Water Supply - June Forecast

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

For Release: June 07, 2007

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

"In spite of the poor precipitation in recent months we are happy to have a near average water supply thanks in large part to the healthy reservoir storage," said Chuck Garner, Yakima Project river operations supervisor. "The June 2007 forecast indicates a full water supply for all water users."

On June 1, system storage was 112 percent of average with all the reservoirs essentially full.

"We expect the reservoir system to begin drafting in the second half of June to meet demands in the basin," 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 the amount of water available for irrigation, and possible rationing levels. If warm, dry weather persists and reduces run-off and increases demand, 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 June 1, 2007

Reservoir Content (acre-ft) Total Capacity percent of Capacity Keechelus 157,390 157,800 99.8 Kachess 238,710 239,000 99.9 Cle Elum 434,924 436,900 99.5 Bumping 33,788 33,700 99.5 Rimrock 197,615 198,000 99.8 Totals 1,062,428 1,065,400 99.7

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