News Release Archive

Yakima Basin Water Supply - March Forecast Released

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, 03/07/2008 20:17
Chuck Garner

For Release: March 07, 2008

The Bureau of Reclamation has released the March 2008 forecast for irrigation supply in the Yakima Basin. The forecast is based on flow data, snowpack and precipitation data.

"We are expecting a normal to slightly above normal water supply at this time," said Chuck Garner, Yakima Project River Operations supervisor. "The March 2008 forecast indicates a full water supply for all water users."

As of March 1, system storage was 44 percent full and 79 percent of average.

"We are very encouraged by the snowpack but reservoir storage is low for this time of year. We will depend on that snow to help fill reservoirs and meet the stream flow and irrigation demands in the basin," Garner said.

At this time both junior and senior water right 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, run-off timing and demand for water are critical in determining whether reservoirs fill, the amount of water available for irrigation and possible rationing levels. If warm weather prompts an early snowmelt run-off, and dry conditions prevail, 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 March 1, 2008

Reservoir

Content (acre-ft)

Total Capacity

Percent of Capacity

 

Keechelus

64,236

 157,800

41

 

Kachess

146,406

239,000

61

 

Cle Elum

134,116

436,900

31

 

Bumping

7,420

33,700

22

 

Rimrock

113,009

198,000

57

 

Totals

465,187

1,065,400

44

 

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