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 05, 2008

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

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

As of June 1, system storage was 84 percent full and 96 percent of average.

"May weather provided warmer temperatures and got the snow melting. By mid-May flows were way up and the reservoirs were filling nicely. Right now the flows and reservoirs are in good shape," 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.

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

Reservoir storage on June 1, 2008

Reservoir Content (acre-ft) Total Capacity Percent of Capacity Keechelus 127,260 157,800 81% Kachess 216,137 239,000 90% Cle Elum 341,324 436,900 78% Bumping 29,611 33,700 88% Rimrock 176,061 198,000 89% Totals 890,393 1,065,400 84%

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