News Release Archive

Yakima Basin Water Supply - July Forecast Released

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

For Release: July 08, 2009

The Bureau of Reclamation has just released the July 2009, 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 near normal water supply at this time," said Chuck Garner, Yakima Project River Operations supervisor. "The July 2009 forecast indicates a full water supply for all water users."

As of July 1, system storage was nearly full at 98 percent of capacity and 113 percent of average.

"Natural flows have dropped off and will be in a general decline until this fall. The reservoir system remained full through most of June and is now ready to get us through the hotter part of the summer. " Garner said.

Both junior and senior water rights holders are expected to receive their full water supply.

Reservoir storage on July 1, 2009 Keechelus 147,270 157,800 93% Kachess 237,620 239,000 99% Cle Elum 424,980 436,900 97% Bumping 33,853 33,700 100% Rimrock 198,125 198,000 100% Totals 1,041,848 1,065,400 98%

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