YBSA Monthly Report July, 2016

YBSA Monthly Report

July, 2016

Water Supply Forecast: The Bureau of Reclamation’s July, 2016 total water supply forecast for the Yakima Basin predicts a 100% water supply for senior water rights, but less than 90% for junior water rights. The prediction is based on average precipitation and temperature in the basin.

Water in Reservoirs: The total reservoir capacity is at 75% and water entering the reservoir is 1206 cubic feet per second (cfs) and releases are at 4954 cfs

Proposed Storage Quantity: YBSA has requested from the Bureau of Reclamation a verification of the amount of water included in the proposed storage projects in the Integrated Plan. The quantity estimated in the plan for storage during drought years and climate change needs to be reviewed.

Lake Kachess: It has been stated that the EIS for Lake Kachess drawdown may extend until 2017. An update of the costs of construction, costs of mitigation, and annual operating costs should be updated.

Lake Cle Elum: Construction of the Lake Cle Elum fish passage project is progressing. The increase of a 3 foot rise of water in the lake will make shoreline changes, and who will pay for those changes, necessary.

With warmer weather in the forecast the water temperatures in the lower Yakima River will increase. When temperatures in the lower river reach the 70’s, salmonoids have difficulty in moving up the river. Sockeye and fall chinook will be attempting to move upstream toward their spawning areas.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information (in both English & Spanish).