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- Cle Elum Pool Raise
Cle Elum Pool Raise Project
Frequently Asked Questions
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Why is the reservoir being raised 3 feet?
Raising the reservoir level provides additional water storage for the Yakima basin. The federal law authorizing the pool raise specified that it would be used to enhance instream flows for fish rearing, fish habitat, and migration. This additional water storage will be the only source of water in the entire Yakima basin to be used for fish.
When will the reservoir be raised the 3 feet?
Based on current project projections, raising the reservoir to an increased pool elevation of 2,243 feet is anticipated in late 2028. All shoreline protection measures will be completed prior to raising the reservoir.
Where is Reclamation constructing shoreline protection?
What will the additional water be used for?
The additional 14,600 acre feet of water will be dedicated to enhancing instream flows for fish.
Who will determine how the additional water will be used?
The Yakama Nation & Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife will provide guidance on how additional water will be managed for instream flows for fish.
How many days will the reservoir be at the new maximum pool elevation of 2243?
Based on modeling and historic record of the reservoir, Reclamation anticipates that the reservoir will be at elevation 2,243 feet (full pool) approximately two weeks. However, the reservoir is anticipated to be above the current full elevation of 2,240 feet for from approximately 4 to 6 weeks, on average. In low water years, Reclamation anticipates the reservoir will not fill to full pool elevation.
Why does the drawdown of Cle Elum Reservoir happen faster than other reservoirs in the upper Yakima River basin?
There are several factors that determine the drawdown rate of Cle Elum Reservoir. The largest factor is flip flop, which is an operations program that has run since 1981. It serves to protect fish species by providing appropriate flows at critical times in their life cycle. Most of the available water for irrigation must be used from Cle Elum Reservoir before salmon spawning occurs in early to mid-September. By September, Cle Elum reservoir releases are reduced to minimum flows in order to protect salmon spawning in the Cle Elum and Yakima rivers downstream of the dam. At this spawning time, the “flip flop” occurs by changing primary flow from Cle Elum Reservoir to Rimrock Reservoir. Another big factor is that Cle Elum Reservoir holds 436,900 acre feet of the Yakima storage systems’ total 1.06 million acre feet of water; therefore, it must provide more water to meet the irrigation demands in the basin. For an in-depth explanation, please see https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/yrbwep/reports/operatingplan/finaliop.pdf
Why did the reservoir not fill to full pool in 2019?
2019 was a mild drought year. Hotter weather in the spring melted the snowpack earlier than usual. Reclamation needed to release water for irrigation and fish flows to meet demands sooner than the reservoir could fill completely.
Is there someone I can contact if I have questions?
Please contact David Empel, project manager for Reclamation’s Cle Elum Pool Raise Project for general questions at dempel@usbr.gov or (509) 406-5864.
IMPLEMENTATION & CONSTRUCTION
Is the Fish Passage project at Cle Elum Dam part of the Cle Elum Pool Raise project?
No, this is considered a separate project. However, the Cle Elum Pool Raise Project’s 3-foot raise will allow the fish passage facilities to be operated at 63 feet instead of 60 feet of reservoir fluctuation. The Yakama Nation and Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife are implementing a fish reintroduction program to accelerate adult and juvenile salmon repopulation in the habitat above Cle Elum Dam. Reclamation and Ecology are constructing permanent fish passage facilities at Cle Elum Dam. More information about the project >>
What has been completed to date on the Cle Elum Pool Raise Project?
Reclamation modified the radial gates at the dam spillway in April 2017 and completed modifications to a saddle dike in 2018. In November 2017, the first shoreline project was completed for the U.S. Forest Service at Cle Elum River Campground. Shoreline protection for Speelyi Day Use Area and the remaining two saddle dikes were completed May 2019. Two embankment areas along Salmon La Sac Road were treated in August 2021. Wish Poosh Campground was completed in May 2022.
What construction is remaining on the Cle Elum Pool Raise Project?
As of 2023, there are several shoreline protections areas remaining. These include Sandelin Lane, Night Sky, Morgan Creek, Timber Cove, Domerie Bay and Speelyi Properties shoreline protection areas. These actions will be implemented as funding becomes available.
REALTY
What is the mission of the Bureau of Reclamation’s realty program?
To acquire property and easements in adherence to Reclamation’s Directives and Standards in addition to Federal property acquisition policies to support the implementation of the Cle Elum Pool Raise Project (or Reclamation’s mission).
What do Reclamation’s realty specialists do for the Cle Elum Pool Raise Project?
Realty specialists utilize their expertise and knowledge of Reclamation’s regulations to acquire fee title land or easements to install shoreline protection along certain private properties. The acquired land or easements may allow access to construct and maintain shoreline protection. Additionally, they file title reports and to ensure realty actions are recorded with Kittitas County.
Easements allow access to construct and maintain the shoreline protection.
A confirmation deed is a type of deed used to the exercise a less than fee right of way reserved under the Act of August 30, 1890, which currently exists within certain properties at Cle Elum Reservoir.
What regulations are used by Reclamation when performing realty actions?
Reclamation follows the requirements of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 USC 4601) and the procedures described in the Reclamation Manual Directives and Standards (LND 06-01, 2003) for any property or easement acquisition.
What is the process of money transactions for easements?
Reclamation follows a process of utilizing a local title company to transfer money and to compensate each landowner as well as record the easement.
Are agreements made with Reclamation & landowners recorded on the title?
Yes, when the agreement is signed, it is recorded on a title with Kittitas County.
Contact
Wendy Christensen
gchristensen@usbr.gov
(509) 573-8050
Bureau of Reclamation
Pacific Northwest Region
Columbia-Cascades Area Office
1917 Marsh Road
Yakima, WA 98901-2058
Thomas Tebb
Thomas.tebb@ecy.wa.gov
(509) 574-3989
Director, Office of Columbia River
State of Washington
Department of Ecology
15 W. Yakima Ave, Ste 200
Yakima, WA 98902-3452
