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Department of Ecology News Release - September 27, 2006
06-194
YAKIMA - The Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation have narrowed to four a list of potential off-channel mainstem Columbia River storage sites that could help serve the future water needs of the Columbia River Basin.
Sites identified for further analysis include Hawk Creek in Lincoln County, Foster Creek in Douglas County, Sand Hollow and Crab Creek, both in Grant County.
"The Legislature has directed us to aggressively seek out storage opportunities on the Columbia River that will support our cities, industries, farmers and fish. We now have four strong candidates, in pursuit of that mandate," said Ecology Director Jay Manning.
"Given the last few years of drought and predictions of climate uncertainty, it only makes sense to store more water when flows are high so it is available when competition for water is the greatest - when flows are low," he added.
In February, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed legislation that earmarked up to $200 million to develop water supplies on the Columbia River for environmental and economic purposes. The legislation directs the state to pursue storage alternatives, promote water conservation projects and allow for creative regional water management plans.
The bill establishes conditions necessary for issuing new water rights from the Columbia River, and protects and enhances environmental values for fish.
Bill McDonald, Reclamation's Northwest regional director in Boise, said: "The progress we are making in this effort is a prime example of how the federal government and the state can work together to gain future access to the Columbia River's water while providing support for salmon recovery."
In December of 2005, the two agencies identified 11 sites along the entire Columbia River corridor to appraise for storage. Based on a number of criteria -- including potential storage capacity, location, known geologic integrity and other environmental and social issues -- the four upper basin sites were identified for more in-depth study.
A more detailed analysis of the four sites is expected to be released in March 2007.
Each of the potential storage sites has a predicted reservoir capacity of at least one million acre-feet, which is in line with future water needs in the Columbia Basin. In addition, each is above Priest Rapids Dam, which will allow it to be easily integrated into Reclamation's Columbia Basin Project.
Manning said, "Size and location are important considerations. The higher upstream a reservoir can be located the more versatile and cost-effective it will be."
A copy of the original pre-appraisal assessment is available online at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/cwp/crwmp_info.html#storage. (Link removed 08/01/07.)
Some specifics on each site include:
The program also is exploring other storage enhancement projects in the Columbia River Basin, including smaller off-channel options, aquifer recharge projects and in-channel improvements and upgrades.
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Media contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509) 575-2610
Storage report contact: Derek Sandison, Ecology central regional director,
(509) 457-7120;
Norbert Ries, Reclamation planning officer, (509) 575-5848, extension 203
Ecology's Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/cwp/crwmp.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
