News Release Archive

Reclamation Announces August Water Supply Forecast for Yakima Basin

Media Contact: Kate Puckett, 509-575-5848 Ext. 205, 08/06/2003 19:42

For Release: August 06, 2003

The August 2003 forecast of the Yakima Basin water supply indicates a water supply shortfall for proratable users for the remainder of the irrigation season. Non-proratable users will receive a full supply.

Converting the August through September natural flow runoff forecast to total water supply available (TWSA) for the August through September use period gives the following volumes:

Low 844,000 acre-ft Adopted 869,000 acre-ft High 894,000 acre-ft.

Total demand to be placed against this supply for irrigation, regulation, and flows passing Sunnyside Dam averages 2.5 million acre-feet in a normal year.

The total water supply available for irrigation is the sum of natural flow, storage, and return flow less residual storage and flow passing Sunnyside Dam. Pro-rationing, which is effective beginning on August 1, will be at the following rate for the proratable users only. Non-proratable users will receive a full supply: Adopted Prorationing - 86 percent of full supply.

The Title XII target flow at the Yakima River near Parker gaging station is 300 cfs based on the August 1 forecast. The reduced runoff forecast is due in part to very dry and hot conditions in July 2003 throughout the basin. The actual supply available for the remainder of 2003 could deteriorate further if the dry, warm conditions persist.

Storage conditions as of August 1 were as follows

Reservoir Content (acre-feet) Total Capacity Percent of Capacity Keechelus 26,554 157,8001 17 Kachess 192,525 239,000 80 Cle Elum 238,482 436,900 55 Bumping 27,016 33,700 80 Rimrock 184,104 198,000 93 Totals 668,671 1,065,400 63

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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.