YBSA Monthly Report November, 2016

YBSA Monthly Report

November, 2016

Water Supply Predictions: A portion of the report prepared by the Office of Columbia River (OCR) describes the long term water supply and demand forecast for the Columbia Basin. This report also includes the Yakima River Basin in its predictions

The average annual seasonality for supply through 2025 shows a decrease of 10% between June and October and an increase of 30% between March and May. Temperatures will continue to rise 2½ degrees through 2050. The study also shows a decline in ground water in the deep aquifer of 10 feet per year.

Cle Elum Dam Fish Passage: The Phase 1 construction contract for an access road and bridge was completed in November 2016. The Phase 2 construction contract for a portion of the juvenile fish passage facility was awarded in July 2016, and work will begin March 2017.

The juvenile fish passage facility has an innovative helix design to transport juvenile fish downstream over 63 feet of fluctuation in the reservoir. The upstream adult passage facility currently includes trap-and-haul in which the fish would be hauled in a fish transport truck for release in the Cle Elum Reservoir or upstream tributaries.

Lake Kachess Drawdown Project: A KDRPP and KKC Supplemental Draft EIS is being prepared for release in 2017. A supplemental draft EIS (SID EIS) will include new information that had been gathered since release of the Draft EIS in January 2015 regarding project impacts, as well as updated information on the proposed Bull Trout Enhancement.

A new estimate of costs for the complete Kachess drawdown project should be included.

Bull Trout Passage: Bull Trout fish passage facilities at Lake Kachess and Clear Creek Dam continues to be evaluated.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.