News Release Archive

Yakima Basin Water Supply - April Forecast Released

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

For Release: April 09, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation has just released the April, 2010 forecast for irrigation water supply in the Yakima Basin. The forecast is based on flow data, the snowpack, and precipitation data.

"We recently received some significant wet weather that has increased the snowpack in the mountains. Unfortunately the data and runoff forecasts still indicate that the basin will have a below normal water supply this season," said Chuck Garner, Yakima Project River Operations Supervisor. "The April, 2010 forecast indicates a full water supply for senior water users but a shortfall for the junior, prorated, users."

As of April 1, system storage was 55 percent full and 88 percent of average.

"The recent storms certainly give us cause for hope but the snowpack and reservoirs are far enough below average making a full recovery unlikely," Garner said.

At this time senior water rights holders are expected to receive their full water supply. Junior users are expected to receive 71 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 determine the timing of the run-off and demand for water are critical in determining reservoir content and the amount of water to meet demands. 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 April 1, 2010 Reservoir Content (acre-ft) Total Capacity percent of Capacity Keechelus 98,210 157,800 62% Kachess 163,730 239,000 69% Cle Elum 197,364 436,900 45% Bumping 11,816 33,700 35% Rimrock 113,351 198,000 57% Totals 584,471 1,065,400 55%

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