YBSA Monthly Report January, 2016

YBSA Monthly Report

January, 2016

Senate Bill 1694: Senator Cantwell’s Bill S1694 has been approved. The following questions need to be answered to implement the water storage projects in the Integrated Plan.

1. What storage projects are specifically authorized?
2. What are the prerequisites for storage construction?
3. How will construction of storage projects be financed?
4. What is the anticipated timeline to bring storage “on-line”?

Water in the Yakima Basin: Water authorized and available in the Yakima Basin during an average year:

• 2.4 million acre/feet has been approved under entitlements.
• 1.1 million acre/feet available for senior water right holders (non-proratable).
• 1.3 million acre/feet authorized (if available) for junior water right holders (proratable).
• 1.065 million acre/feet of water stored in the basin is available when all 5 reservoirs are full.
• Proposed Storage Increases: Storage proposals in the Integrated Plan over 30 years:
• The remaining water needed for instream flow (fish) and out-of-stream use (agriculture and municipal use) depend on snowpack.

• 200,000 acre/feet Lake Kachess Pumping Plan
• 162,500 acre/feet in Wymer Reservoir Construction
• 190,000 acre/feet in Bumping Expansion with a New Dam
•  14,600 acre/feet Cle Elum for Fish Passage
• 567,100 acre/feet Total
• Snow Water Levels: Snow water equivalent for this time of year in the upper Yakima Basin is 107% and 124% in the lower Yakima Basin as found at selected NRCS SNOTEL sites.
• Reservoir Current Levels: Total capacity of the 5 reservoirs in the Yakima Basin is 55% capacity which is above average for this time of year.
• Climate Change: All water storage projects do not include the effects of a moderate climate change as a possibility.
• Mitigation required for each project needs to be identified.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.