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 agreed upon a preliminary plan in December 2009. The elements of the plan will be refined during 2010. A final plan will be submitted to Congress and the legislature once the workgroup makes its final endorsement.

The preliminary plan builds upon Ecology’s Integrated Water Resource Management approach and includes:

• Adopting best management practices (BMPs) to reduce water demand through extensive water conservation and efficiency measures for agricultural and municipal water users, and residential water users not connected to a municipal delivery system.

• Developing additional water supply through a suite of at least some of the following actions:

  • Building a storage reservoir between Yakima and Ellensburg at Wymer.

  • Raising the pool level at Cle Elum Dam.

  • Tapping into the inactive storage at Kachess Reservoir.

  • Enlarging Bumping Reservoir.

  • Pumping water from the Columbia River for storage at Wymer, Burbank and Selah Creek locations.

  • Providing additional analysis of a tributary enhancement project such as the Ahtanum Creek Watershed Restoration Program, including a Pine Hollow Reservoir Project.

  • Exploring possibilities for additional power generation opportunities.

• Developing groundwater storage including infiltration and municipal aquifer storage and recovery.

• Developing water marketing.

• Modifying existing facilities and operations including:

  • Completing Wapatox Canal piping.

  • Subordinating some or all of the Roza and Chandler power plants for fish flows during spring.

  • Evaluating Roza diversion alternate supply and associated dam removal.

  • Improving Kittitas Reclamation District canals through measures, including piping, to improve flow in tributaries.

  • Building fish passage at all six Yakima Project reservoirs.

• Enhancing habitat by:

  • Restoring floodplains.

  • Providing fish access to key tributaries through flow restoration.

  • Removing fish barriers.

  • Screening diversions.

Download the Preliminary Integrated Water Resource Management Plan for the Yakima River Basin.

More information about the YRBWP Work Group

• Bureau of Reclamation’s YRBWP web site.

• Work group meeting notes, handouts, and presentations.

Draft EIS for Cle Elum Fish Passage Released

Ecology and the Bureau of Reclamation have completed the Cle Elum Fish Passage Facilities and Fish Reintroduction Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The purpose of the project is to construct fish passage facilities at Cle Elum Dam that will provide fish access to historic habitat and restore biodiversity and the natural production of salmon, lamprey, and seagoing trout in the upper Cle Elum subbasin.

A public review and comment period will run through March 22, 2010. Comments may be submitted orally, electronically, or by mail. Oral comments may be presented at the following public meeting:

February 18, 2010
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
City of Cle Elum Council Chamber Room
119 West 1st Street
Cle Elum, Washington

Please send written comments to Ms. Candace McKinley, Environmental Protection Specialist, at the Bureau of Reclamation, 1917 Marsh Road, Yakima WA 98901, or by email to sha-uca-fishpassage@usbr.gov. Questions about the report may be directed to Ms. McKinley at (509) 575-5848, ext. 612; or by fax to (509) 454-5650. TTY users may dial 711 to obtain a toll-free TTY relay.

Download the DEIS

You can also visit the Bureau's website for the news release and related information.