YBSA Monthly Report April 2021

YBSA Monthly Report

April 2021

Storage: The Yakima Basin storage system contains 70% of storage capacity which is average for April 30th. Snowpack is still holding but is decreasing fast with very little precipitation and warm weather in the mountains. A short water year is possible.

Yakima Basin Integrated Plan: Yakima Basin Storage Alliance is pleased to see progress on various items. Additional storage must be a vital part of the solution and the total cost and who pays for the more storage needs to be decided.

Salmon Recovery: Idaho is considering billons of dollars for salmon recovery. The Yakima Basin needs to be aggressive in implementing its salmon recovery.

Water: Every year the Yakima Basin is concerned about having enough water for fish and agriculture. The Basin’s economy and livelihood depends on water. A review of the Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study that was completed in 2008 which provided the solution for the needed water in the Yakima Basin needs to be addressed by the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Work Group.

Water Report: The Bureau of Reclamation water report will be issued in early May. The report could identify how much water will be available this summer and fall for out of stream use (agriculture) and instream flow (fish). Click Here for Yakima Herald Republic Story, “Despite snow, rain, Pacific Northwest faces drought”

Project Updates: No update is available on the Lake Cle Elum fish passage or the Lake Kachess project.