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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 07, 2010
The Bureau of Reclamation's July 2010 water supply forecast for the Yakima Basin indicates a full supply for all water rights in the basin based on the Total Water Supply Available (TWSA).
"Precipitation for April through June was 159 percent of average and demand for water was also way down due to the cool, wet weather," said Chuck Garner, Yakima Project River Operations Supervisor. "The water supply has experienced a dramatic turnaround over the last three months."
Storage in the Yakima basin reservoirs has gone from below average to above average in June and should top out at about 97 percent of capacity.
Both junior and senior water rights holders are expected to receive their full water supply this season. Even those with water rights issued after May 1905 may use basin water throughout the season.
The TWSA forecast is based on flows, precipitation, snowpack, and reservoir storage as of July 1, 2010, along with estimates of future precipitation. Other future weather conditions that determine the timing of the run-off and the demand for water are also critical in determining streamflows, prorationing, and the extent to which the reservoirs fill.
The water supply can be improved through prudent use of water.
For more information visit our website at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/yakima.
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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.
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