News Release Archive

Yakima Basin Water Supply - July Forecast

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

For Release: July 09, 2007

The Bureau of Reclamation has released the July 2007 forecast for irrigation water supply in the Yakima Basin. At this time, both junior and senior water rights holders are expected to receive their full water supply.

"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.

On July 1, system storage was 109 percent of average with Keechelus and Cle Elum drafting while Kachess, Bumping, and Rimrock reservoirs are full.

Storage control began on June 20, 2007. The Title XII/Acquisition target flow at the Yakima River near Parker gaging station is 323 cubic feet per second.

Reclamation is also advising people to use caution when approaching diversion dams on the Yakima and Naches Rivers. Please be aware of all warning signs and take proper safety precautions.

Reservoir storage on July 1, 2007

Reservoir Content (acre-ft) Total Capacity Percent of Capacity Keechelus 144,500 157,800 92 Kachess 238,800 239,000 100 Cle Elum 415,040 436,900 95 Bumping 34,139 33,700 100 Rimrock 198,150 198,000 100 Totals 1,030,629 1,065,400 97

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