YAKIMA, Wash. – The Bureau of Reclamation’s July 2023 water supply forecast for the Yakima basin indicates the water supply would provide senior water rights 100% of entitlements and junior water rights 72% of entitlements for the June–September total available water supply.
Prorationing began June 1 and will apply to the June 1 through Sept. 30 irrigation entitlements. Reclamation manages water in the five Yakima Project storage reservoirs, which is used along with other unregulated flows, in the basin, to fulfill water rights, water contracts and instream flow obligations. Water shortages in the basin are shared equally by the junior water rights, which represent over half of the water rights in the basin. Senior rights will not be reduced this year.
The July forecast is based on flows, precipitation, snowpack, and reservoir storage data through June 30, along with estimates of future precipitation, river flows, and irrigation return flows. Other future weather conditions that determine the timing of the runoff and demand for water are also critical in determining stream flows, extent to which the reservoirs fill, and water supply for irrigation.
Reclamation will provide bi-monthly analyses while proratable supplies are near or below 75% and will inform the public when the rate has changed. Reclamation will continue to provide updated water supply forecasts monthly throughout the water year, which is through early October, using the latest data each month to reflect changing conditions.
For more information, visit https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/yakima/.
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