News Release Archive

Reclamation Seeks Public Comment on Taneum Creek Study

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Patrick Monk, pmonk@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: May 04, 2009

The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking public comment on the draft report for the Taneum Creek Study involving the Bruton-Kittitas Reclamation District (KRD) Water Exchange as part of the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project (YRBWEP). The public comment period is from May 4-June 18.

This draft report describes the objectives of the Bruton-KRD Exchange as providing Bruton Ditch water users with KRD water in exchange for not diverting their Taneum Creek irrigation water thereby increasing flows in Taneum Creek and facilitating the removal of the Bruton Dam which will allow fish passage farther up Taneum Creek.

The YRBWEP staff has studied the hydrologic, environmental, engineering, and economic aspects of the proposal and concluded that Bruton Ditch water users and Taneum Creek fishery would benefit by this proposal which will result in improvements to the irrigation water supply and environmental conditions in Taneum Creek.

Bruton Dam was built in 1965 to accommodate construction of Interstate-90. The dam provides irrigation and stock water to the Bruton Ditch which was also used by Kittitas Reclamation District to deliver water to lands east of Taneum Creek.

Although KRD retains ownership of the dam, the district has developed other water delivery routes, and no longer uses Bruton Dam. Salmon have not returned to Taneum Creek in notable numbers for over 50 years.

The draft report can be found at: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/yrbwep/taneumcreek/index.html.

Comments will be reviewed before a final draft is prepared. Send comments to: Patrick Monk, YRBWEP, 1917 Marsh Road, Yakima WA 98901-2058, pmonk@pn.usbr.gov (or pmonk@usbr.gov after late May) or call (509) 575-5848 (Ext. 325).

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/yrbwep/taneumcreek/index.html