YBSA Monthly Report May, 2016

YBSA Monthly Report

May, 2016

Water Supply: The water supply in the Yakima River Basin appears to be adequate to provide the water necessary to meet the needs of out-of-stream use (agriculture) and instream flow (fish). All 5 reservoirs are full as of this date. With very little snow pack left in the mountains and 100° temperatures predicted for the Yakima Valley this Sunday, there will be a need to start using the water stored in the reservoirs during the first week in June.

The Water in the Yakima River: The Bureau of Reclamation manages the water available for summer and fall use to provide water for both instream and out-of-stream use. During the irrigation season a procedure called flip-flop is used. Instream flow in the Cle Elum & upper Yakima Rivers above Cle Elum are reduced so salmonoids will spawn closer to the center of the river. This is necessary so when the reservoirs start storing water for next summer, which reduces the flow in the river, the redds (nest) will remain in theflow of the river. To make up for the reduced flow in the lower Yakima River the water stored in Rimrock Reservoir will be increased (flip-flop) to near flood stage to meet the flow requirements in the river for fish and agriculture.

EIS Kachess Drawdown: The Environmental Impact report being prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation on the drawdown of Lake Kachess and the Keechelus-to-Kachess Conveyance will be published soon. The report will describe what is necessary to move toward implementation and to determine the total cost of the project.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.