Storage: Water stored in the 5 reservoirs is at 40% of capacity which is above average for this time of year. Lake Cle Elum Reservoir is being kept below normal so the fish passage facility can be completed.

Agriculture: Another good year for agricultural production, harvesting and processing. Management of water available in the Yakima Basin was sufficient for the agricultural industry. Climate change, high winds and smoke created problems during the growing season. The pandemic took its toll on the population, but a successful year was completed.

Lake Cle Elum Fish Passage: The juvenile fish passage over Lake Cle Elum Dam is progressing. When completed the fish will be able to leave the reservoir to move downstream from April 1^st through the beginning of June. Catch and haul fish from the base of the dam up to the lake will continue when fish are available.

Sockeye Update: In 2018 a Sockeye tracking program was started. In 2019 20 fish were tagged and made it from Roza Dam to Lake Cle Elum Dam. Another study started in 2019 that began tracking Sockeye passage in the lower Yakima river from the mouth of the Yakima River to Roza Dam. Fish passage was found to be extremely low due to the low flow and high temperatures in the Yakima River.

Bull Trout: A program to catch and haul young Bull Trout from the low water in the Kachess River and Cold Creek is continuing. Each year some are moved upstream, and some are placed in a hatchery and later moved to the natural streams.

Water for the Yakima Basin: With an annual concern for water the need to look toward the mighty Columbia River would benefit agricultural and fish and our economy would boom.

YBSA Monthly Report

October 2020

Storage: The 5 reservoirs are at average as of November 1^st. Lake Cle Elum water is being kept low, so the multimillion dollar fish passage project is being erected.

Salmon: Sockeye are spawning in greater numbers in the Cle Elum River above Lake Cle Elum. The Coho hatchery is still under construction, and the fish hatchery at South Cle Elum is producing juveniles. Very few fish have come back up the Yakima River returning from the ocean due to water quality, quantity, and temperature in the lower Yakima River.

Attempt to Increase Water in the Yakima Basin: The following is a short history of attempts to increase the water supply in the Yakima Basin to guarantee water for agriculture and provide enough instream flow in the Yakima River for fish.

In the 1990’s Benton, Kittitas, and Yakima Counties cooperated to attempt to address the need for additional water for instream flow and out of stream use in the Yakima Basin. A study was completed which described that the transfer of Columba River water to the Yakima Basin was viable and would solve the water needs in the basin for centuries.

A grass root organization consisting of all stakeholders of the Yakima Basin, the Watershed Council, was formed. The goal was to increase the water available in the basin. Meetings were held throughout the three counties. Most of the cities, the Yakama Nation, and interested organizations supported the program. A lobbying effort to fund a study on using Columbia River water was undertaken.

A study was funded by United States Congress in the amount of $18 million for the U.S. Department of Interior Pacific Northwest Region to examine the possible use of Columbia River water for the Yakima Basin. The Final planning report Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was completed. The Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study (over five hundred pages) was distributed for comments by February 3, 2009. A non-decision opinion was made on use of Columbia River water in the basin. The possibility of another review to start as soon as all other possible projects for additional water within the basin were examined. The additional water is needed to solve the problem of not enough water for instream flow for fish and out of stream use for agriculture that is currently occurring in the Basin.

The Yakima Basin Storage Alliance (YBSA) was formed and continues to pursue possible ways to transfer water from the Columbia River to the Yakima Basin. The YBSA’s mission is to store water for agriculture. The storage is managed by Reclamation (BOR). Much of the time, the Yakima River system is adequate except for salmon, but increasingly, junior water rights holders with high value crops are paying for water they do not get. This is the result of climate change, but it does expand our interest to the possibility of pumped storage facilities.

In 2010 the Department of Ecology (DOE) and the BOR appointed a committee of stakeholders to consider improvements needed in the Yakima Basin. The Integrated Water Resource Management Plan was developed. It included improvements of mitigation, habitat, fish passage, storage, and the return of fish in the Yakima River, including the possible use of Columbia River water. A lot of projects have been undertaken and money spent but no additional water has become. Ten years ago, YBSA was told to put our long-standing quest for excess Columbia River water on hold and other options would be pursued with a goal of going back to the Columbia if all else failed. The ten years are now history, and while things have been done that make some folks feel good, the original problem of water supply only gets worse. The Integrated Plan Workgroup should start the process of reviewing use of Columba River water and the value of that water to the Yakima Basin. The impact of climate change on our water supply should be considered.

A factor not included in earlier water supply thinking is the fact that Pumped Storage for electrical power generation is seriously being considered on the Columbia as coordinated with intermittent wind and solar energy sources. This does not provide water to the Yakima Basin, but it could be a usable supply since pumped storage reservoirs would be located on the uphill side of the Columbia, and that would be in the Yakima Basin. The titles to two articles listed at the bottom of this page were written on pumped storage by the folks at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (Richland) and they were just awarded a $75 million grant to look at pumping water uphill to energy storages to go with renewable energy sources. See the links below to articles for further information.

A lot of things now come together; ten years have gone by with no new water for Yakima Basin as was promised. We have the potential of reaching to the Columbia for water in years, and at times, when we need it and no one else does.

August 11, 2020 – Open or Closed: Pumped Storage Hydropower is on the Rise

October 31, 2019 – The World’s Energy Storage Powerhouse Hydropower Offers a Low Cost, High-Energy Option

YBSA Monthly Report

September 2020

Storage: The water in the 5 reservoirs in the Yakima River Basin are at 30% capacity. This is average for this time of year. Irrigation supply is enough to provide water until the irrigation systems are turned off.

Instream Flow: The flow of water in the Yakima River this summer has been minimal, which has been hazardous to fish survival. The Yakima River is full of green moss due to low flow and high-water temperatures. Only 60 Sockeye reached the Roza Dam in the last few. The lower Yakima River is the barrier for fish to return to the upper Yakima River Basin.

Lake Cle Elum Fish Passage: The project to move fish from Lake Cle Elum to the Cle Elum River below the dam continues. Six tunnels to move fish from the lake to the Helix which then would allow fish to move when the lake is at its lowest level.

Sockeye Spawning: Sockeye hauled to Lake Cle Elum by truck are spawning in the upper Cle Elum River near Salmon La Sac. (See Newspaper Article below from the Northern Kittitas County Tribune, Thursday, September 24, 2020). When the smolt can use the system to move to the Cle Elum River below the dam they can then move on to the Columbia River if the water conditions are right.

Snowpack: A study by Central Washington University indicate all the wildfires will affect snow pack in the State of Washington mountains. If normal snowfall occurs the snow will melt sooner in the burned areas.

Budget: Money requested for the Yakima Basin project has been reduced. Projects to be funded are the Kachess project and fish passage.

Yakima Basin Integrated Plan: The Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Workgroup continues to ignore the need for additional water for the Yakima River Basin. One of the listed projects in the original plan was to review the use of the Columbia River when all other means to find more water were unsuccessful.

Storage: The 5 reservoirs in the Yakima Basin are at 48% full which is average for this time of year.

With Rimrock Reservoir at 83% of capacity the procedure called flip-flop will begin in the first couple weeks of September. Flip-Flop is the increase of water flow in the Naches River and a reduction of flow in the upper Yakima & Cle Elum Rivers to help save and improve fish habitat.

Lake Cle Elum Fish Passage: The tunnel to move the juvenile fish from Lake Cle Elum to the Cle Elum River is still being constructed. The innovative structure (the Helix) to get the fish from the lake should be completed in 2020. The facility will be used to enable the fish to reach the tunnel from April through June in most years. Fish returning to the Lake Cle Elum Dam will be trapped and hauled up to and placed in the lake.

Sockeye Study: The Yakama Nation and Bureau of Reclamation are studying the movement of fish from the Columbia River to Roza Dam.
Another study is attempting to find how many Sockeye migrate from Roza Dam to Lake Cle Elum Dam. Results found in 2019 showed very low migration success for Sockeye primarily due to high water temperatures in the river.

Work continues on designs to allow fish to pass on both Box Canyon Creek and Clear Creek Dam. The

Lake Cle Elum pool raise will affect both the Wish Poosh Campground and the Salmon La Sac Road. Plans are for both to be completed by May 2021.

Surface Water Storage: Lake Kachess Drought Relief Pumping Project is still being considered. The enormous cost and the amount of mitigation has Roza Irrigation District, the Department of Reclamation, and the Department of Ecology developing a new plan.

Consideration of site requirements is on going for Wymer Reservoir and Bumping Lake Reservoir Enhancement Project.

Fish enhancement programs continue to be identified and improved. With the low flow and high-water temperature in the lower Yakima River very few fish will be able to survive to use the improvements.

Once again, we continue to develop ways to enhance fish passage and distribution of irrigation water, but no new water has been made available.

Try the Columbia River!

Reservoir Storage: The 5 reservoirs are at 74% capacity which is average for this time of year. With the hot summer the reservoirs receive 120 cubic feet per second (cfs) and are releasing 5900 cfs for instream flow and out of stream use. Lake Cle Elum is 66% full. Precipitation at the 5 reservoirs for the month of July is less than 1 inch.

Endangered Fish: The fish in the Lower Yakima River may not be able to survive due to the low flow in the lower Yakima River and the extreme heat. Salmonoids are in danger of dying unless more water can be added to the river. Climate change is creating an increase in need in finding a way to put more water in the Yakima River year-round.

Sockeye: For those who are interested see the article Tracking Sockeye: Fish Passage Study Salmon in the Yakima River-Research on fish could lead to new projects in the Yakima River Basin from the Yakima Herald-Republic from Monday, July 6, 2020 CLICK HERE.

YBSA Monthly Report
June 2020

Storage: The 5 reservoirs are at 94% full. Water from the reservoirs is now being used to meet the need for instream flow and out-of-stream use (storage control). With the snowpack being depleted, storage will provide the water necessary in the Yakima Basin for the rest of the irrigation season.

Lower Yakima River: With hot temperatures approaching the Yakima Basin this summer, more water will be released from the reservoirs to meet the requirements for instream flow. Surface water returning to the Yakima River in the lower valley will increase the water temperature which is hazardous to fish.

Pump Storage: With pump storage, stored water becomes available for generation of electricity, agricultural usage, and instream flow for fish. At the present time, with the economy slowing down and the need for electricity lessening, power generation needs have been reduced because there is no way to store the electricity long term for future needs. To store the extra electricity that is available, water could be delivered to a pump storage facility which would become a safety net for future needs. The electrical power production from the release of the stored water would assist the electrical grid to prevent a brownout.

Storage Content: The 5 reservoirs are at 93% capacity. Annually storage is where it should be for this time of year.

Water Temperature Problems with Eastern Washington Rivers: Instream flow and warm water in the lower Yakima River is a concern for the survival of salmonoids during the hot summer months. An analysis of heat pollution in the Columbia River by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that temperatures always have spiked in the rivers at times in the summer, even before the dams. But today, the effects of the dams combined with the cumulative effects of climate change, push temperatures in the Columbia and lower Snake Rivers over the stated maximum temperature of 68° for weeks on end, the EPA found.

The Yakima Basin Storage Alliance (YBSA) has been emphasizing the need to increase flow in the Yakima River to reduce the temperatures in the lower Yakima River to improve fish runs and survival.

Cle Elum Fish Passage Project: The fish passage project at Lake Cle Elum Dam will continue to move forward again in July. The tunnel to move fish from the lake to the Cle Elum River and the Helix still must be installed.

Columbia River Solution: Providing water from the Columbia River to the Yakima Basin for irrigation would help solve the problem of high-water temperature and provide additional instream for in the Yakima River.

With the additional water available from the Columbia River in the Yakima Basin the Bureau of Reclamation could manage the instream flow which could create a more normal flow in the Yakima River creating a more stable river for instream (fish) and out of stream (agriculture) use.

Storage: Reservoirs are at 70% capacity, which is a little less than average at this time of the year. The reservoirs (lake) are filling with water at a much faster rate than the amount of water being released. Snow water equivalent in the upper basin is at 77% ana 97% in the lower basin.

Lake Cle Elum: Along with the work that is continuing on the hole to install the Helix, other projects need to be completed prior to increasing the size of the lake.

Sockeye Update: Primary results from the first year’s study found very low migration moving up the Yakima River due to high water temperature in the lower river.

Lake Kachess Pumping Plant: The project with Roza Irrigation District working along with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of Ecology is currently developing a new proposed action. One question needs to be addressed: who gets water when Lake Kachess does not fill?

Habitat: Habitat improvement in the Yakima Basin continues along in the river’s mainstream flood plain enhancement and tributary improvements. Improvements can only be successful when the Yakima Basin has adequate instream flow for fish and additional water for irrigation:

Yakima Basin Storage Alliance appreciates all the efforts made during this difficult time. Stay home, stay safe . . . We are all in this together!

Storage: The 5 reservoirs are at 63% full. As on April 1st, the water graph shows the reservoirs are slightly above average. The graph indicates that reservoirs fill rapidly from April through June providing the snowpack will be large enough to provide the water. The reservoirs hold 1 million acre/feet of water and the snowpack must provide an additional 2 million acre/feet to provide the needed water for instream flow (fish) and out of stream use (agriculture).

Projects in the Yakima Basin:
• Lake Kachess pumping plan is still being studied awaiting information on cost and available water.
• Lake Cle Elum fish passage continues with the Helix Project still moving forward.
• Continued improvement of habitat in rivers and streams for fish passage.

Lower Yakima River: Flows in the Yakima River are lower than needed for salmonoids to survive and move up stream. Low flows and summer hot temperatures are a deadly combination for the survival of salmonoids.

Columbia River Water for the Yakima Basin: The study evaluating the use of Columbia River water for the Yakima Basin was completed in 2008. It was labeled as the Yakima River Water Storage Feasibility Study. The following information was available for review by affected residents:

Availability of Columbia River Water – In the May 2002 Black Rock Reservoir Study Report, Washington Infrastructure Services (WIS) assumed Columbia River water was available for pumping whenever flows at Priest Rapids exceeded 130,000 cfs or spills occurred. On this basis, WIS concluded diversion could take place only in April, May, and June. Sizing of the Columbia River pumping plant and Black Rock Reservoir was based on these criteria plus various assumptions on water demand in the Yakima River basin.

Based on pending water right adjudication activities, the authorized maximum water deliveries for the two divisions for April through October is estimated as follow:

Division	Proratable	Non-Proratable	Total
Roza	375,000 acre-feet	0 acre-feet	375,000 acre-feet
Sunnyside	119,000 acre-feet	316,00 acre-feet	435,000 acre-feet
Total	494,000 acre-feet	316,000 acre-feet	810,000 acre-feet

Solely for illustration purposes, assume Sunnyside and/or Roza are fully served from a Black Rock project and their Yakima River water is exchanged for other Yakima basin uses in the following sequence (1) for instream flow purposes in wet and average years, and (2) for
irrigation purposes to all other proratables (which total 790,000 acre-feet) to provide a maximum 70 percent supply in dry years.

A Roza and Sunnyside exchange would meet the 70 percent criterion plus make 240,000 acre-feet available for non-irrigation uses. In wet and average water years, and additional 810,000 acre-feet would be available for non-irrigation uses.

Storage: The 5 reservoirs are at 60% full. As on March 1^st, the water graph shows the reservoirs are slightly above average. The graph indicates that reservoirs fill rapidly from April through June providing the snowpack will be large enough to provide the water. The reservoirs hold 1 million acre/feet of water and the snowpack must provide 2 million acre/feet to provide the needed water for instream flow (fish) and out of stream use (agriculture).

Project Updates Yakima Basin: The Lake Kachess Drought Relief Pumping Plant Environmental Impact Statement process continues. With climate change and question on how the project will be funded, when will a decision be made?

Lake Cle Elum Fish Passage construction continues on the Helix project to allow fish to move from the Lake to the River below the Dam. The fish that return up the river are caught and hauled from the river to the lake. With a small amount of instream flow and the thermal barrier there is a great need for more water in the Yakima River.

Pump Storage Project: The future needs for electrical power generation will increase tremendously in the next 20 years. The reduction of the carbon footprint means that additional generation sources will be necessary. Wind turbines, solar, nuclear plants, and waterpower generation are the most viable sources.

A new pump storage reservoir in the Yakima Basin would provide power generation, provide water for irrigation, allow water in the Yakima River to be used for instream flow (fish), create a large lake for recreation purposes, and have water available for fire control. See the Bureau of Reclamation Study Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study, December 2008 at https://www.usbr.gov/pn/studies/yakimastoragestudy/reports/eis/final/volume1.pdf.

Lower River Taskforce: The taskforce continues to look for ways to help slamonoids to return up the lower Yakima River. Flow is low during the warm days which creates a thermal barrier, water temperatures over 70℉, makes is difficult for fish to survive.

Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Workgroup: Meeting is March 11^th at 9:30 am in Ellensburg at the Armory.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.