Storage: Total storage in the 5 reservoirs is at 86% capacity which is at average for this time of year. Reservoir content is at 920,000 acre/feet. Inflow to the 5 reservoirs is at 77% of average and release is at 93%. Unregulated flow in the Yakima River at Parker is at 69% and regulated flow is at 50% of average.

Pulse flow from Lake Cle Elum will release about 10,000 acre/feet to benefit seasonal migration of salmon smolts. There is no report on the amount of cubic feet per second of water flowing in the Cle Elum River below the dam.

Salmon Runs: Smaller spring run prompts fishing closure for Yakamas, other tribes on Columbia River as reported in the Yakima Herald, May 21, 2023. “Spring tribal fisheries were closed Thursday on the Columbia River after it was determined that fewer fish are returning this spring than initially predicted.” Click Here for full article

Irrigation: The diversion of water from the Yakima River is providing 100% of the water necessary for the agriculture industry in the Yakima Basin.

Storage: Volume of water in the 5 reservoirs is at 56% capacity. The amount in storage now is 250,000 acre/feet less than last year and 200,000 acre/feet less than average. Spring snow melt and runoff will continue through the month of May which may prolong the content of stored water and may increase instream flow in the lower Yakima River. Snow water content is at 100% which means the amount of water depends on the size of the snow pack.

YBSA: Tom Carpenter, Jr., one of the most important leaders in the Yakima Basin, worked to develop an annual amount of water to be made available for agriculture and increasing and maintaining instream flow in the Yakima River for salmonoids. The Carpenter family was one of the early farmers to introduce hops to the Yakima Basin. Two decades ago, the Basin was in need of water and many farmers had to drill wells to maintain their crops. Tom’s goal was to provide enough water each year to eliminate the possibility of droughts. Now that Tom has passed we still have to continue with the work of solving the water needs in the Yakima Basin that he was so involved with.

News Stories: In the Yakima Herald Republic article, Toppenish Creek fish project gets $16.M federal boost from April 28, 2023, Phil Ferolito reported, “Two diversion dams and a nonfunctional fish screen will be replaced with fish passage structure on the Lower Toppenish Creek to provide a better migration path for Pacific lamprey and steelhead.” Click Here for full article.

In the April 25th edition of the Walla Walla Union Bulletin the article, Drought likely to develop in Washington after our cool, dry spring “Storage levels in the Yakima, Columbia and Upper Snake River basins were in decent, if not great, shape as of April 20, Bond said. There may be some restrictions on junior water rights holders in the Yakima Basin this summer, he said. Click Here for full article.