News Release Archive

Yakima Basin Water Supply June Release

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

For Release: June 06, 2005

The Bureau of Reclamation has released the June 2005 forecast for irrigation water supply, according to David Murillo, Yakima Project Manager. The June 2005 forecast is holding steady with the Mid-May water supply forecast. All indicators predict a very short water supply for junior users even if precipitation for the remainder of the season is average. Rationing has been in effect since April 6, 2005.

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

Adopted prorationing level: 38 percent of full supply.

Precipitation is only one factor affecting the water supply. Other future weather conditions that determine the timing of the natural run-off and that effect demand for water are critical in determining the effect on reservoir storage, the amount of water available for irrigation, and the rationing level. Because of these unknown future conditions and uncertainty in the basin conditions, the Yakima Field Office provides a likely range for the total water supply available estimate and the associated rationing level. In June, a reasonable range for the rationing level is between 32 percent and 48 percent of full supply with the adopted rationing level at 38 percent of full supply for junior, pro-rated, entitlements. The total water supply available will be adjusted bi-weekly or as needed to reflect changing conditions. Post-1905 water rights have been curtailed since April 6th.

The water supply can be improved through prudent use of water, said Murillo.

The Yakima Basin Storage System began drafting and went on storage control on May 25, approximately one month earlier than average. Total storage reached 869,986 acre-ft, which is 82 percent of full capacity.

Reservoir storage on June 6, 2005

Reservoir Content (acre-ft) Total Capacity Percent of Capacity Keechelus 94,350 157,800 60 percent Kachess 163,001 239,000 68 percent Cle Elum 361,854 436,900 83 percent Bumping 33,814 33,970 100 percent Rimrock 197115 198,000 100 percent Totals 850,133 1,065,670 80 percent

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