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.

YBSA Monthly Report

August, 2016

Reservoirs and Flip-Flop: The 5 reservoirs are at 43% of capacity with 1½ months remaining in the irrigation season. The flip-flop has begun which reduces the volume of water being released from Lake Cle Elum and increases the volume released from Rimrock Lake. The purpose of the flip-flop is to protect the areas where salmon spawn in the Cle Elum River.

Water Volumes: The volume of water entering the 5 reservoirs at this time is 637 cfs, releases from the reservoirs is 4379 cfs and the volume of water in the Yakima River below Prosser is 421 cfs.

Budget: The proposed budget request in the Washington State Capital Budget for 2017-2019 is $31.1 million. The request includes $5.4 million for surface storage. The proposed use is $2.4 million for Lake Kachess pumping project, and $3 million for the review of the Wymer and Bumping Reservoir projects.

YBSA Request: Yakima Basin Storage Alliance has requested the Bureau of Reclamation review the amount of water available in each of the proposed storage projects included in the Integrated Plan. The review should include the moderate adverse climate change scenario, and the historic hydrograph from the RiverWare model output. The drought-year proratable irrigation water supply goal of not less than 70% may not be achieved in every year with adverse climate change conditions.

Congressional Legislation: Information on the proposed Congressional legislation S 1694 and HR 4686 addressing the Yakima River Basin can be found at the top of the home page at www.ybsa.org.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.

YBSA Monthly Report

July, 2016

Water Supply Forecast: The Bureau of Reclamation’s July, 2016 total water supply forecast for the Yakima Basin predicts a 100% water supply for senior water rights, but less than 90% for junior water rights. The prediction is based on average precipitation and temperature in the basin.

Water in Reservoirs: The total reservoir capacity is at 75% and water entering the reservoir is 1206 cubic feet per second (cfs) and releases are at 4954 cfs

Proposed Storage Quantity: YBSA has requested from the Bureau of Reclamation a verification of the amount of water included in the proposed storage projects in the Integrated Plan. The quantity estimated in the plan for storage during drought years and climate change needs to be reviewed.

Lake Kachess: It has been stated that the EIS for Lake Kachess drawdown may extend until 2017. An update of the costs of construction, costs of mitigation, and annual operating costs should be updated.

Lake Cle Elum: Construction of the Lake Cle Elum fish passage project is progressing. The increase of a 3 foot rise of water in the lake will make shoreline changes, and who will pay for those changes, necessary.

With warmer weather in the forecast the water temperatures in the lower Yakima River will increase. When temperatures in the lower river reach the 70’s, salmonoids have difficulty in moving up the river. Sockeye and fall chinook will be attempting to move upstream toward their spawning areas.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information (in both English & Spanish).

YBSA Monthly Report

June, 2016

Meeting with Committees of IP: YBSA met with members of the Executive and Implementation Committees of the Integrated Plan Work Group. The discussion revolved around the projects that are being implemented and the need for additional stored water.

YBSA presented the group with a form that needed to be completed by the Bureau of Reclamation to show how much stored water is included in the Integrated Plan and what water will be available in the 30 year plan with various options and weather conditions.

Water Supply: This year’s snowpack in the central Cascades was greater than 100%. The water available for Roza Irrigation District is about 85%. With climate change the water supply in the Integrated Plan and the cost of the storage plan along with who will pay for it should be verified.

Environmental Impact Statement for Kachess Project: The EIS for the Lake Kachess drawdown project continues to be developed. Final determination of a location of the Keechelus-to-Kachess conveyance and the Lake Kachess pumping plant needs to be completed. Once completed the costs of construction, operation, mitigation for the surrounding area, and the effect of Bull Trout in the Kachess Basin. The target date for completion of the EIS is late 2016 or early 2017.

River Flow: A lower Yakima River subgroup has been developed to review the instream flow and the warm water impact on salmonoid (Sockeye) returning to spawn in the rivers and streams in the Yakima Basin.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.

YBSA Monthly Report

May, 2016

Water Supply: The water supply in the Yakima River Basin appears to be adequate to provide the water necessary to meet the needs of out-of-stream use (agriculture) and instream flow (fish). All 5 reservoirs are full as of this date. With very little snow pack left in the mountains and 100° temperatures predicted for the Yakima Valley this Sunday, there will be a need to start using the water stored in the reservoirs during the first week in June.

The Water in the Yakima River: The Bureau of Reclamation manages the water available for summer and fall use to provide water for both instream and out-of-stream use. During the irrigation season a procedure called flip-flop is used. Instream flow in the Cle Elum & upper Yakima Rivers above Cle Elum are reduced so salmonoids will spawn closer to the center of the river. This is necessary so when the reservoirs start storing water for next summer, which reduces the flow in the river, the redds (nest) will remain in theflow of the river. To make up for the reduced flow in the lower Yakima River the water stored in Rimrock Reservoir will be increased (flip-flop) to near flood stage to meet the flow requirements in the river for fish and agriculture.

EIS Kachess Drawdown: The Environmental Impact report being prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation on the drawdown of Lake Kachess and the Keechelus-to-Kachess Conveyance will be published soon. The report will describe what is necessary to move toward implementation and to determine the total cost of the project.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.

YBSA Monthly Report

April, 2016

U.S. Senate Approved Bill: The U.S. Senate approved a bill that would provide $92 million for the Yakima Basin. The majority of the money will be used for fish passage at Lake Cle Elum Dam. It would also increase the amount of water stored in the Lake by 14,600 acre/feet which would be used for fish passage and instream flow. Other parts of the funding would be used to build a road and bridge just below the spillway across the Cle Elum River, create a fish catching facility in the river below the dam to haul by truck to the lake, and construct a helix in the lake to allow salmon to return to the river from the lake when the lake surface is lowered.

The bill also contained some money to continue the feasibility, environmental, and community impact study of Lake Kachess drawdown proposal.

U.S. House Bill Differs: The U.S. House bill has some different language so a committee of House and Senate members will work on a compromise bill. The committee meeting will probably occur after the November election.

Reservoir & Snowpack Supplies: The 5 reservoirs that provide water during the summer and fall for fish and agriculture in the Yakima Basin are at 94% capacity. The reservoirs provide 1/3 of the water needed for the Yakima Basin – snowpack, which provides the other 2/3 that is needed, is at 73% of normal in the North Yakima Watershed and 95% in the South Yakima Watershed. With high temperatures predicted snowpack runoff will increase. With higher than normal temperature, water needed during late summer and fall may not be available.

The April precipitation in the Yakima Basin was 14.6% of average.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.

YBSA Monthly Report

March, 2016

Lake Cle Elum Fish Passage: Construction has begun on the Lake Cle Elum fish passage facility. The first step in the project is to build a road from the Lake Cle Elum Dam Road and a bridge for access to the west side of the Cle Elum River. The new road will provide access to the new fish trap and collection facility and the juvenile fish passage helix to return the fish from the lake back to the Yakima River. The fish trap facility will be used annually to transport adult fish from the river up to Lake Cle Elum. Mitigation costs for the three foot raise in Lake Cle Elum which will close two campsites, roads, boat ramps, and create environmental issues. The cost of the project and who will pay for the mitigation costs has not been determined

Kachess and Keechelus Projects: The Bureau of Reclamation continues to prepare the documentation for the Kachess Drought Relief Pumping Plant and the Keechelus-to-Kachess Reservoir Conveyance projects. The NEPA-SEPA process must be completed. The Environmental Impact Statement, and the record of decision may be completed by late 2016 or early 2017.

Water Supply for Yakima Basin Summer, 2016: Yakima River Basin Snotel Report: Snow at 100% in north Yakima Basin and 125% in south Yakima Basin. Present reservoir capacity is at 81% which is 130% of capacity for this time of year. BOR forecast a full water supply in 2016 premised on receiving average precipitation from April 1 to September 3. Next BOR forecast will occur on April 7th.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.

YBSA Monthly Report

February, 2016

Support with Concerns for Water Enhancement Program: The Yakima Basin Storage Alliance (YBSA) continues to support the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Program but are doubtful that the storage facilities actively being pursued will ever be built and meet the goal of 500,000 acre/feet of water.

The first storage facility being proposed in the 30 year plan is to pump water an additional 80 feet (200,000 acre/feet) of water from the original Lake Kachess. A study contracted by the Department of Ecology and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife to determine the impact on Kachess Property values has been completed. With this study and others a broader Environmental Impact Statement will be released this fall or in 2017. See story in the Thursday, February 25^th edition of the Northern Kittitas Country Tribune.

Each storage project in the Integrated Plan is being evaluated separately and implementation will depend on the cost of the project and the availability and authorized use of the newly stored water. With mitigation and location of the pumping/conveyance sites in doubt, when will the cost be calculated and when how will it be financed? If the project is to be evaluated by the cost of construction, operating costs, mitigation, and who will be authorized to use the water; when will the Kachess project start?

The same evaluations of Wymer and Bumping Storage projects need to be developed to determine if they can be built.

Without all the storage projects completed, the Yakima Basin will continue to be short of the water needed. With possible climate change, the storage projects will not meet our goals. The economy of the Yakima Basin depends on the availability of water for agriculture, fish, and municipal and industrial growth.

Snow-Precipitation Update: As of Sunday, February 28^th the snow-water equivalent in the upper Yakima Basin is at 97% and the lower Yakima Basin is at 95%. Reservoir storage is above average for this time of year. Additional snowpack may be needed due to the warmer temperatures.

The 1 plus million acre/feet of water stored in the reservoirs in the Yakima Basin only provide approximately 1/3 of the water needed.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.

YBSA Monthly Report

January, 2016

Senate Bill 1694: Senator Cantwell’s Bill S1694 has been approved. The following questions need to be answered to implement the water storage projects in the Integrated Plan.

1. What storage projects are specifically authorized?
2. What are the prerequisites for storage construction?
3. How will construction of storage projects be financed?
4. What is the anticipated timeline to bring storage “on-line”?

Water in the Yakima Basin: Water authorized and available in the Yakima Basin during an average year:

• 2.4 million acre/feet has been approved under entitlements.
• 1.1 million acre/feet available for senior water right holders (non-proratable).
• 1.3 million acre/feet authorized (if available) for junior water right holders (proratable).
• 1.065 million acre/feet of water stored in the basin is available when all 5 reservoirs are full.
• Proposed Storage Increases: Storage proposals in the Integrated Plan over 30 years:
• The remaining water needed for instream flow (fish) and out-of-stream use (agriculture and municipal use) depend on snowpack.

• 200,000 acre/feet Lake Kachess Pumping Plan
• 162,500 acre/feet in Wymer Reservoir Construction
• 190,000 acre/feet in Bumping Expansion with a New Dam
•  14,600 acre/feet Cle Elum for Fish Passage
• 567,100 acre/feet Total
• Snow Water Levels: Snow water equivalent for this time of year in the upper Yakima Basin is 107% and 124% in the lower Yakima Basin as found at selected NRCS SNOTEL sites.
• Reservoir Current Levels: Total capacity of the 5 reservoirs in the Yakima Basin is 55% capacity which is above average for this time of year.
• Climate Change: All water storage projects do not include the effects of a moderate climate change as a possibility.
• Mitigation required for each project needs to be identified.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.

YBSA Monthly Report

December, 2015

                                                                                                   Seasons Greetings                                                                                           Felices Pasqua

Lake Kachess: With predictions of an increase snow pack in the Cascades this winter and high costs, Roza Irrigation District terminated the plans to continue with its proposed 2016 Lake Kachess emergency temporary floating pumping plant.

Roza will continue to support the proposed permanent Kachess Drought Relief Pumping Plant to be able to access an additional 200,000 acre/feet of water from the Lake after all the water stored for irrigation is removed.

Keechelus-to-Kachess (K-to-K): The Keechelus-to-Kachess conveyance (KKC) project to increase the volume of water available in Lake Kachess continues to be reviewed. The proposed conveyance project to move the water, which started in 2013, is evaluating the use of a north or south tunnel and the intake and discharge of the pipeline.

Environmental Compliance Study: The Lake Kachess pumping project and the K-to-K conveyance environmental compliance study are ongoing and are to be completed during 2016.

Current Reservoir Levels: Currently the 5 reservoirs in the Yakima River Basin are at 53% of capacity. The reservoirs are at 136% of capacity for this time of the year. The National Recourse Conservation Service (NKCS) sites, which predict snow-water equivalent, in the upper Yakima Basin are reporting 124% of average and the lower Yakima Basin sites are reporting 133% of average.

Water available in the Yakima Basin during an average year:

• 2.4 million acre/feet has been approved under entitlements.
• 1.1 million acre/feet available for senior water right holders (non-proratable).
• 1.3 million acre/feet authorized (if available) for junior water right holders (proratable).
• 1.065 million acre/feet of water stored in the basin is available when all 5 reservoirs are full.The remaining water needed for instream flow (fish) and out-of-stream use (agriculture and municipal use) depend on snowpack.

Go to www.ybsa.org for additional information.