News Release Archive

Yakima Basin Water Supply - March Forecast Released

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

For Release: March 10, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation has just released the March 2010, 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 below normal water supply at this time," said Chuck Garner, Yakima Project River Operations supervisor. "The March 2010 forecast indicates a full water supply for senior water users but a shortfall for the junior, prorated, users."

As of March 1, system storage was 49 percent full and 90 percent of average.

"The snowpack is well below average and causes the biggest concern at this time. The Reservoir storage is below average. It would be very difficult for the snowpack and reservoir storage to recover sufficiently to provide a full supply for all users this season," Garner said.

At this time senior water rights holders are expected to receive their full water supply. Junior users are expected to receive 77 percent of their entitlement from the beginning of prorationing until September 30. Post 1905 water users must cease diverting water as soon as prorationing is implemented. Specific water delivery levels will not be determined until later in the year.

The weather conditions that produce precipitation and influence the timing of the run-off and the demand for water are critical in determining the amount of water available for irrigation, the proration level, the stream flow targets, and how full the reservoirs fill. If dry conditions prevail and warm weather prompts an early snowmelt run-off the situation could worsen.

Water demands requiring storage releases, even prior to storage control, may be charged to the users' total entitlement. The water supply can be improved through prudent use of water.

Reservoir storage on March 1, 2010

Reservoir

Content (acre-ft)

Total Capacity

percent of Capacity

Keechelus

                    86,864

157,800

55%

Kachess

                  150,732

239,000

63%

Cle Elum

                  174,628

436,900

40%

Bumping

                    11,792

33,700

35%

Rimrock

                  101,228

198,000

51%

Totals

                  525,244

1,065,400

49%

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