News Release Archive

Yakima Basin Water Supply - April Release

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Kate Puckett, kpuckett@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: April 11, 2005

The Bureau of Reclamation has released the April 2005 forecast for irrigation water supply. The outlook is for a very short water supply for junior users even if precipitation for the remainder of the season is average, according to David Murillo, Yakima Project Manager.

The Yakima Field Office declared official prorationing on April 6. Rationing is in effect at this time. Snow pack and precipitation both improved during the month of March. "The near normal conditions allowed our water supply forecast to hold steady," Murillo said.

Senior water rights holders will receive their full water supply. The adopted prorationing level for junior users is listed below:

Adopted prorationing level: 34 percent of full supply.

Future precipitation is only one factor affecting the water supply. The weather conditions that determine the timing of the run-off and demand for water are critical in determining whether the reservoirs fill, the amount of water available for irrigation, and rationing levels. Because of these unknown future factors, the Yakima Field Office provides a likely range for the total water supply available estimate and the associated rationing level. In April, a reasonable range for the rationing level is between 16 percent and 54 percent of full supply with the likely rationing level at 34 percent of full supply. The total water supply available will be adjusted bi-weekly or as needed to reflect changing conditions.

Murrillo said the water supply can be improved through prudent use of water and conservation.

Reservoir storage on April 6

Reservoir Content (acre-ft) Total Capacity percent of Capacity Keechelus 108,881 157,800 69 percent Kachess 142,080 239,000 59 percent Cle Elum 295,554 436,900 68 percent Bumping 30,116 33,700 89 percent Rimrock 168,681 198,000 85 percent Totals 744,000 1,065,400 70 percent

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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.