YBSA Monthly Report September, 2016
YBSA Monthly Report
September, 2016
Water Availability: The Yakima River Basin economy continued to prosper with another year with water available for out-of-stream use (agriculture) and instream use (fish). There is approximately 27% (289,484 acre/feet) storage capacity of water remaining in the storage system. At the end of the irrigation season the water remaining in the reservoirs will be carried over to help in providing the water needed in 2017. The Bureau of Reclamation is predicting carry over in the 200,000 to 300,000 acre/feet range. The 30 year carryover average is about 270,000 acre/fee.
Environmental Impact Statements: The Department of Ecology (DOE) and the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) continues to prepare two Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) one for Lake Kachess drawdown of 200,000 acre/feet with a floating pumping plant. It also includes a pipeline from Lake Keechelus to Lake Kachess to supplement Kachess water when it is available. The other proposed reservoir, Wymer, located in the Yakima River Canyon will be evaluating the construction of 2 dams and 160,000 acre/feet of water in the Yakima Canyon.
Water Conservation: The water conservation programs are continuing in the Yakima Basin. The purpose of conservation is to supplement the water available from the 5 storage reservoirs. The effect of the conservation program on the thousands of domestic wells and ground water return flow to the Yakima River should be evaluated.
Fish Hatchery: The Cle Elum fish hatchery has been operated now for 20 years. The spring chinook hatchery has hatched and released 11.5 million smolts into the basin. Recently 617 adults have been caught at Roza Dam and transported to the Cle Elum Hatchery this year.
Washington State Budget Request: $31.1 million has been requested for the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan in the Washington State Capital Budget for 2017-2019. It includes $5.4 million to continue evaluation of the surface storage projects. The estimated cost to complete these 4 storage projects included in the Integrated Plan is $3.8 billion over 30 years.
Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.