YBSA Monthly Report July, 2017

YBSA Monthly Report
July, 2017

Yakima Basin Water Report: Water flowing into the five reservoirs is at 84%, and 106% is being released. In the Cascade Range above the five reservoirs, no measurable precipitation has been recorded in July. The total capacity of all reservoirs is at 81% as of July 27.

Funding for the Integrated Plan: The State Legislature adjourned without adopting a Capital Budget. Funds for a number of projects listed in the Integrated Plan for the Yakima Basin are not available until the Capital Budget is approved.

Steelhead in the Yakima River Basin: About 1,600 returning steelhead were counted by June 30 at the Prosser Dam. This is less than half the number that returned last year. More habitat improvements in place will help improve the number of steelhead returning. Droughts and climate change contribute to the smaller runs. Click on the link http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/washington-steelhead-reach-worrisome-lows/article_40010fd4-6f6e-11e7-aac5-0ff29e191918.html to see the Yakima Herald Republic story “Washington Steelhead Reach Worrisome Lows”.

Lake Cle Elum Dam Fish Passage: A new method for transporting salmonoids calleda Helix from lake Cle Elum reservoir to the Yakima River below the dam has been designed. Transportation of returning fish in the Cle Elum River over the dam was done by a catch and haul method. A new method is being tested. “Wooosh” as it is called is a 1,700-foot-long tube that shoots the salmon from the river over the dam into Lake Cle Clum. It’s to be used to transport 3,500 Sockeye salmon over the dam. See the story in the Northern Kittitas County Tribune, July 20 edition.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.