Lake Roosevelt Incremental Storage Releases:

Annually, releases at Lake Roosevelt will add 27,500 acre-feet of water to instream flows. In drought years, another 17,000 acre-feet will be added to that quantity. Additionally, 25,000 acre-feet of the releases will be allocated for municipal use. Much of that water will be available to enhance instream flows in the Hanford Reach—the most productive salmon spawning area of the Columbia River. More information...

Barker Ranch Canal Piping:

This project converted the Horn Rapids Canal from an open ditch to a closed pipe system. The resulting efficeiency savings increased flows in a seven-mile stretch of the Yakima River by up to 10 cfs. More information...

Kennewick Irrigation District (KID)/Red Mountain AVA Pump exchange:

In addition to other efficiency improvements, KID will move a water diversion point on the Yakima River from Prosser to Kiona. The move and efficiency savings will provide an additional 11,005 ac-ft of water to a low flowing stretch of the Yakima River. More information...

Yakima Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan:

OCR, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the Yakama Nation,  irrigation districts, environmental organizations, and other federal, state, county, and city governments and agencies. are collaborating on a plan to address the Yakima Basin's water problems. Instream benefits will be provided by water conveyance efficiency improvements, decreased power generation at Roza Dam and Chandler Powerhouse, construction of a pipeline between Lake Keechelus and Lake Kachess and other construction and conservation projects.

Additionally, fish survival will be enhanced through habitat protection and enhancement and passage improvement. More information about Yakima Basin Integrated Water Resource Management.

Walla Walla Pump Exchange:

OCR provided $400,000 to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation for a cooperative study in the Walla Walla River Basin. Due in 2009, the four-year study assesses the feasibility of restoring stream flows through several options, including: acquisition, water conservation, groundwater recharge, and replacing Walla Walla River irrigation water with Columbia River water.

Manastash Ditch Piping:

This project will result in piping the Manastash Water Ditch Association’s unlined ditch from the Kittitas Reclamation District’s south branch to Hanson Road. Approximately 4,440 feet of ditch would be piped with a net water savings of 1.4 cfs. By consolidating points of diversions, the Manastash Creek Restoration Project has potential to re-wet a portion of the stream that is typically dry during irrigation season.

Beaver Population Enhancement & Water Storage Feasibility Study:

This project is a study of small storage potential in natural environments through the re-introduction of beaver to the upper Columbia River Basin and tributaries. Wetlands created by the beavers would capture peak spring runoff and retime it for both water supply and water quality benefits. News report on Beaver Study.

Campbell Creek Reservoir Feasibility Study:

This study will examine the possibility of constructing an off-stream reservoir that will store water and release it to the Peshastin Irrigation District. The water would be used to replace Peshastin Creek diversions. Current District diversions from Peshastin Creek would remain instream to benefit fish. Stream flows would be increased by 1.7-3.3 cfs depending upon the month in the lower 1.5 miles of the Peshastin Creek and 18 miles of the Wenatchee River.