News Release Archive

Yakima Basin Water Supply May Release

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
David Murillo , dmurillo@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: May 06, 2005

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

The Yakima Field Office declared official prorationing on April 6, 2005. Rationing is in effect at this time.

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 the extent to which 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 May, a reasonable range for the rationing level is between 23 percent and 44 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.

The water supply can be improved through prudent use of water. Please conserve water!

Reservoir storage on May 6

Reservoir Content (acre-ft) Total Capacity Percent of Capacity Keechelus 110455 157,800 70 percent Kachess 160460 239,000 67 percent Cle Elum 336016 436,900 77 percent Bumping 33671 33,700 100 percent Rimrock 182640 198,000 92 percent Totals 823242 1,065,400 77 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.