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 08, 2013

YAKIMA, Wash. - The Bureau of Reclamation's April 2013 Total Water Supply Available (TWSA) forecast for the Yakima Basin indicates a full water supply for both senior and junior water rights.

"The Yakima basin should have a nearly normal water supply this irrigation season," said Chuck Garner, Yakima Project River Operations supervisor. "We've received below average precipitation so far this season, but the current snowpack is holding up and the reservoir storage is above average."

Reclamation will present water supply forecasts monthly 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 also influence streamflows, prorationing, and the extent to which the reservoirs fill.

"We expect the spring and summer runoff to fill the reservoirs and provide for most of the spring and early summer demands." said 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." Garner recommends that irrigators always consider practices that conserve 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.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/yakima