Columbia River Basin Storage Options - Yakima Basin Water Storage

Background

Water is short in the Yakima Basin. Irrigators, communities, businesses, households, and endangered fish all share this valuable resource, and more is needed for their continued health. Ecology is committed to finding that water.

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) studied the problem for a number of years. As a result of those studies, Ecology selected an integrated water resource management approach as its preferred alternative for addressing water issues in the Basin. The approach is composed of seven elements:

• Fish Passage

• Fish Habitat Enhancement

• Modifying Existing Structures and Operations

• New Storage

• Market-Based Reallocation

• Groundwater Storage

• Enhanced Water Conservation

More information about the previous studies and the Ecology’s integrated water resource management preferred alternative.

Download the Integrated Water Resource Management Focus Sheet

Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project (YRBWEP) Work Group

In June 2009, Ecology and the Bureau brought representatives from Yakama Nation, irrigation districts, environmental organizations, and federal, state, county, and city governments together to form a working group to develop a consensus-based solution to the Basin’s water problems. Although Ecology’s integrated water resource management preferred alternative serves as a starting point, the work group is considering many options.  

The work group is scheduled to finish its work in December 2010. Their final plan will be submitted for congressional approval after that.

More information about the YRBWP Work Group

• Bureau of Reclamation’s YRBWP web site.

• Work group meeting notes, handouts, and presentations.