News Release Archive

Yakima Basin Water Supply - April Forecast Released

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, 04/09/2012 07:42
Chuck Garner, cgarner@usbr.gov

For Release: April 09, 2012

The Bureau of Reclamation's April 2012, Total Water Supply Available (TWSA) forecast for the Yakima Basin indicates a full water supply for both senior and junior water rights.

"We are expecting an above average water supply at this time," said Chuck Garner, Yakima Project River Operations supervisor. "The water in the snowpack is well above average with the heavy snowfall we’ve received from late February through the end of March."

At this time both junior and senior water rights holders are expected to receive their full water supply. The water supply forecast will be updated each month through July. Specific water delivery levels will not be determined until later in the year when the reservoir system’s storage begins to decline.

The April TWSA forecast is based on flows, precipitation, snowpack, and reservoir storage as of April 1, along with estimates of future precipitation and river flows. Other future weather conditions that determine the timing of the run-off and the demand for water are also critical in determining streamflows, reservoir storage, and the water supply available.

"The Yakima basin weather outlook is favorable and the current reservoir system storage is very healthy near 120 percent of average. We expect the spring and summer runoff to fill the reservoirs and provide for most of the spring and early summer demands." said Chuck Garner. "The snowmelt timing, the summer weather, and the irrigation demands are still important unknown factors that can influence streamflow levels and the carry-over storage at the end of the season." He advises all water users in the Yakima basin to use their water prudently.

For more information visit our website at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/yakima

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