YBSA Monthly Report November, 2015
YBSA Monthly Report
November, 2015
Current Reservoir Content in Yakima Basin: Capacity is at 36%, which is average for this time of year. 100% capacity in the 5 reservoirs will only provide 1/3 of the total water needed in the Yakima Basin in 2016. The remaining 2/3 will have to be provided by the snowpack developed in the winter and spring.
Roza Irrigation District Proposed Lake Kachess Pumping Project: The estimated price is $58 million which has farmers concerned about the proposed plan. The Roza Irrigation District will continue to evaluate the cost of the proposed plan.
The plan would be to install a floating pump system on Lake Kachess to pump an additional 50,000 acre/feet of water from the lake after the normal drawdown is removed.
See complete story in the Yakima Herald by Kate Prengaman. Click Below
Progress on Storage Projects in Yakima Basin: The Lake Cle Elum 3 foot pool rise and fish ladder has been funded. The additional 14,000 acre/feet of stored water’s first priority is for instream flow.
The Yakima Basin Integrated Plan legislation was passed by the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Senate Bill S1694 was sponsored by Senator Cantwell.
The Bureau of Reclamation is beginning its public scoping process for the Roza Irrigation District’s proposed Kachess Emergency Temporary Floating Pumping Plant (KETFPP) Project. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and for better regional coverage, there will now be three public scoping workshops held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm
December 7th
Hal Holmes Center
Ellensburg, WA
December 8th
U.S. Forest Service Cle Elum Ranger District
Cle Elum, WA
December 9th
Best Western
Sunnyside, WA
The purpose of these scoping workshops is to give the public an opportunity to discuss the proposed project and identify issues and concerns relating to environmental impacts, mitigation measures, and potential alternatives.