YBSA Monthly Report March, 2016

YBSA Monthly Report

March, 2016

Lake Cle Elum Fish Passage: Construction has begun on the Lake Cle Elum fish passage facility. The first step in the project is to build a road from the Lake Cle Elum Dam Road and a bridge for access to the west side of the Cle Elum River. The new road will provide access to the new fish trap and collection facility and the juvenile fish passage helix to return the fish from the lake back to the Yakima River. The fish trap facility will be used annually to transport adult fish from the river up to Lake Cle Elum. Mitigation costs for the three foot raise in Lake Cle Elum which will close two campsites, roads, boat ramps, and create environmental issues. The cost of the project and who will pay for the mitigation costs has not been determined

Kachess and Keechelus Projects: The Bureau of Reclamation continues to prepare the documentation for the Kachess Drought Relief Pumping Plant and the Keechelus-to-Kachess Reservoir Conveyance projects. The NEPA-SEPA process must be completed. The Environmental Impact Statement, and the record of decision may be completed by late 2016 or early 2017.

Water Supply for Yakima Basin Summer, 2016: Yakima River Basin Snotel Report: Snow at 100% in north Yakima Basin and 125% in south Yakima Basin. Present reservoir capacity is at 81% which is 130% of capacity for this time of year. BOR forecast a full water supply in 2016 premised on receiving average precipitation from April 1 to September 3. Next BOR forecast will occur on April 7th.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.