YBSA Monthly Report April, 2013
Snowpack: The snowpack in the Cascade Mountains above the Yakima Basin is the sixth reservoir that provides water for the Basin. Without adequate snow, water needs will not be met. Without adequate storage every year, water needed for fish and agriculture is threatened.
According to the Snotel Sites Report, the May 1st snowpack above 3400 feet in the upper basin snow water equivalent was 97% and at elevations in the lower basin, above 4400 feet snow water was 102% of average.
The teacup diagram displayed below shows the Reservoir storage available as of May 1st.
Request to BOR: was sent to the Bureau of Reclamation office in Yakima requesting a timeline showing when major work items would be completed on the storage elements Wymer Reservoir and Bumping Lake Enlargement. The letter read as follows:
The February 2013, “Project Activity Report” for the Yakima River Basin Integrated Resource Management Plan indicates that geological and seismic activities will be initiated at the proposed Bumping Lake Enlargement and Wymer Projects this spring and summer. We would appreciate timelines showing the major work items to be accomplished and the points at which decisions can be made as to the stability and technical feasibility of these sites to construct the dams, reservoirs, and ancillary facilities that are proposed.
This information would be appreciated by April 18, 2013.