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 about the Lake Roosevelt releases.

Wanapum Pool Raise:

OCR is working with Grant County PUD to investigate raising the pool at Wanapum Dam. Increasing the pool level by 3.5 feet would provide about 70,000 acre-feet of added Columbia River storage. One-third of the added storage will be used to enhance stream flows, including those in the Hanford Reach.

Barker Ranch Canal Piping:

This project converts the Horn Rapids Canal from an open ditch system to a closed pipe system. The piping of the water conveyance system to Barker Ranch will increase flows in a seven-mile stretch of the Yakima River by 3.5-10 cfs depending upon the month.

Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) Pump Exchange:

KID proposes to move a portion of its water right on the Yakima River downstream. Under this proposal, flows in a fish-critical reach of the lower Yakima River would double—a significant benefit to instream flows. OCR provided $95,000 to evaluate the proposed water delivery system and has reserved $15 million toward the construction of this project. Announcement by Governor Gregoire

Yakima Basin Integrated Water Resource Management:

OCR is considering an integrated water resource management approach to addressing the Yakima Basin’s water needs. Instream flows will be enhanced by:

• Changes to existing storage facilities.
• Enhanced water conservation.
• Water marketing or water banking.
• Potential new aquifer and surface storage sites.

Additionally, fish survival will be enhanced through habitat 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.