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, 2008

The Bureau of Reclamation has just released the July 2008, forecast for irrigation water supply in the Yakima Basin. The water supply forecast is based on flow and reservoir 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 July 2008 forecast indicates a full water supply for all water users."

As of July 1, system storage was 99.8 percent full and 115 percent of average.

"The runoff has come out of the hills gradually with the cool spring weather and enabled us to meet demands and fill the reservoirs. The Yakima storage system is now full and ready to get us through the hotter part of the summer," 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 target river flows and the amount of water available for irrigation.

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

Reservoir storage on July 1, 2008 Reservoir Content (acre-ft) Total Capacity Percent of Capacity Keechelus 157,645 157,800 100% Kachess 238,393 239,000 100% Cle Elum 434,540 436,900 99.5% Bumping 34,542 33,700 102% Rimrock 198,000 198,000 100% Totals 1,063,120 1,065,400 99.8%

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