YBSA Monthly Report May 2021

May 2021

Storage: The five reservoirs are 90% full. Water from storage has been adjusted to address the flip-flop of water in the river and to address the needs of out-migrating fish.

Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Progress Report: Lake Cle Elum fish passage is still being built. Construction continues on passage gates and the Helix for installation this summer.

Sockeye returning up the Yakima River continues to be minimal due to high water temperature and low flows in the river. To enable the fish to return the water flows need increasing and, with more water, the necessary lower temperatures will be met.

Yakima Basin May 2021 Water Report: The Bureau of Reclamation forecasts the water supply will provide all senior and junior water supply this season.

The snowpack is holding up well. Despite the warm weather and low precipitation, the reservoirs have been at normal storage. Stream flows are determined by runoff and storage operations.

Department of Ecology: The DOE issued a drought warning for all of Eastern Washington. March and April were the fourth driest period in Eastern Washington since 1895. Reduced crop yields are expected because of the dry weather. The next Yakima Basin Water estimate will be on June 3.

Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Work Group: They will meet virtually again this week.