Kittitas Reclamation District News

4-7-11 The KRD Board of directors set the water allotment to 2.25 cfs per assessed acre. Water turn on will be April 20, weather permitting.

2-10-11 In 2010, the KRD Board adopted Resolution No 2010-002, which establishes a process for those KRD patrons who want their land excluded from the district or included in the district. If you are interested, see the Land Reclassification Policy and contact the KRD office.

8-17-2010 The KRD Board set this year's the turn off date to be October 15, 2010.

6-9-2010 The Bureau of Reclamation has released their June water supply forecast for 2010 estimating 90% supply for junior users: http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=32721

6-2-2010 The KRD Board has increased the landowner allotment to 1.85cfs per acre for the 2010 season.

5-6-2010 The Bureau of Reclamation has released their May water supply forecast for 2010 estimating 78% supply for junior users: http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=32421

4-14-2010 The KRD Board has set the turn on date to be April 20, and the landowner allotment at 1.65 cfs per acre.

4-9-2010 The Bureau of Reclamation has released their April water supply forecast for 2010 estimating 71% supply for junior users: http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=32141

3-12-2010 The Bureau of Reclamation has released a preliminary water supply forecast for 2010: http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=31883

3-4-2010 The Bureau of Reclamation will determine TWSA (total water supply available) in the Yakima Basin for 2010 on April 9. The KRD Board will meet on April 13 to determine landowner allotment for the coming season.

4-10-09 The KRD Board of directors set the water allotment to 2.25 cfs per assessed acre. Water turn on will be April 20 with the first deliveries on the 22nd. For more information see: http://kvnews.com/articles/2009/04/10/news/doc49de36f7715d5227927829.txt

3-17-09 The Bureau of Reclamation is predicting a full water allotment for all water users during the 2009 irrigation season. See their news release at: http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=26941

For daily updates on water conditions in the Yakima Basin see the Bureau's Daily Report: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/yakima/yakstats.txt

4-6-06 KRD Board has set the 2006 allotment at 100% of normal, or 2 cfs per irrigable acre. For more info, see our updated Newsletter.

7-12-05 KRD Board has tentatively set the turn off date to be 8-10-2005.

5-23-05 KRD has raised the water allotment to its landowners to 0.70 cfs per acre, 35% of normal.

5-20-05 Bureau news release raises allotment to 38%:

Released On: May 19, 2005
Yakima Basin Water Supply Mid-May Release

The Bureau of Reclamation has released a Mid-May 2005 forecast for irrigation water supply in the Yakima Basin, according to David Murillo, Yakima, Washington project manager. The Mid-May 2005 forecast shows an increase in the total water supply available. The wet and mild conditions this spring in the Yakima Basin have helped improve the water supply. Even though the outlook is improved, it continues to indicate severe prorationing for junior users.

The Yakima Field Office declared official prorationing on April 6. Rationing is in effect at this time.

Senior water rights holders will receive their full water supply. The adopted prorationing level for junior users updated Mid-May is listed below:

Adopted prorationing level: 38 percent of full supply.

Precipitation for the period March 1 to May 17 is 114 percent of average. Runoff during May has been greater than anticipated. Irrigation demands have been moderated by the cool, rainy weather and the Yakima Basin reservoir system continues to fill.

Future precipitation is only one factor affecting the water supply. The weather conditions that determine the timing of the run-off and demand for water are critical in determining the extent to which the reservoirs fill, the amount of water available for irrigation, and rationing levels. Because of these unknown future factors and uncertainty in the basin conditions, the Yakima Field Office provides a likely range for the total water supply available estimate and the associated rationing level. In Mid-May, a reasonable range for the rationing level is between 32 percent and 49 percent of full supply with the adopted rationing level at 38 percent of full supply. The total water supply available will be adjusted bi-weekly or as needed to reflect changing conditions. The next update will be released June 6.

The water supply can be improved through prudent use of water. Please conserve water!

5-10-05 The Bureau of Reclamation is still estimating 34% for the KRD water allotment. At current rates of use, we will be shutting down between July 10 and July 20, 2005.

4-8-05 After receiving estimates from the Bureau of Reclamation, the KRD Board of Directors has set this year’s allotment to be 30% of normal, or 0.6 cfs per acre. More info is in our 2005 newsletter.

3-8-05 YAKIMA BASIN WATER SUPPLY - MARCH RELEASE

For Release: March 7, 2005
Yakima Basin Water Supply - March Release

The Bureau of Reclamation has just released the March 2005 forecast for irrigation water supply, according to David Murillo, Yakima Project Manager. The forecast is based on flow data, current snow pack, and this year's precipitation data. It is a very unusual year and snow pack is extremely low, Murillo said.

The March 2005 forecast predicts a very short water supply for junior users even if precipitation for the remainder of the season is average. "Even if future conditions are favorable, the water supply is not adequate this year," Murillo said. This is due to an unusually small snow pack and less precipitation than average for the water year to date.

Specific water delivery levels will not be determined until later in the year. In all conditions listed below, senior water rights holders would receive their full water supply. Estimated water supplies for junior (proratable) users are as follows:

Low Estimate 14 percent supply for junior users

Most Likely Estimate 34 percent supply for junior users

High Estimate 58 percent supply for junior users

Irrigation districts and water users are urged to apply their own judgment in deciding which level of supply may be realized. Water demands requiring storage releases, even prior to storage control, may be charged to the users' total entitlement. The water supply can be improved through prudent use of water. Please conserve water.

Future precipitation is only one factor affecting the water supply. The weather conditions that determine the timing of the run-off and demand for water are critical in determining whether the reservoirs fill, the amount of water available for irrigation, and rationing levels.

To see current reservoir and snowpack levels see http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/yakima/yakstats.txt

10-5-04  Turn off date set for October 15.

8-13-04  Updated numbers from the Bureau of Reclamation estimate that KRD will be able to run until October 10.  Landowner allotment will increase slightly because of the new figures from 1.56 cubic feet per second per acre to 1.70.

8-3-04  KRD board adjusted the landowner allotment to 1.56 cfs per acre, 78% of normal.  District turn off date is tentatively September 28.

7-6-04  KRD board adjusted the landowner allotment to 1.5 cfs per acre, 75% of normal.

5-4-04  In anticipation of an upcoming announcement from the Bureau, the KRD Board of Directors have set the new allotment at 1.4 cfs per acre, which is 70% of a normal.  KRD operations are estimated to last to the second week in September.

4-6-04 The Bureau of Reclamation has set KRD’s April water supply at 85%. With normal subsequent precipitation each month throughout the water season, that supply should hold for the rest of the year. With that quantity of water, allotments have been set at 1.75 cfs per assessed acre. KRD and landowners need to be very conservative with water use and management this entire season. KRD will provide monthly water supply updates. KRD will start flushing and priming the system on April 19. Ditch riders will start taking water orders on April 19. Please contact your ditch rider for water delivery dates. Operations are currently estimated to last until October 1.

3-30-04 The KRD Board will be meeting April 6 to set this year's allotment.  This will be based on estimates given by the Bureau of Reclamation on this years water supply.  Current reservoir information can be seen at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/yakima/yakstats.txt

9-23-03 The KRD will begin to ramp down on Tuesday, September 30, 2003.  That is also the last day water orders will be taken for this season.

4-14-03 The Bureau of Reclamation has set KRD’s 2003 water supply at 91%. With normal subsequent precipitation, that supply should hold throughout the year. That quantity of water is just enough to set the landowner allotment at 2 cfs per assessed acre. KRD and landowners need to be very conservative with water use and management this entire season. KRD will provide monthly water supply updates. KRD will start flushing and priming the system on April 21. Ditch riders will start taking water orders on April 21. Please contact your ditch rider for water delivery dates. Operations are estimated to last until October 10.

7-17-01  The Board of Directors have tentatively set the turn off date to be August 1, 2001.  The actual turn off date may change due to weather conditions and grower demands.  The KRD will receive weekly updates on water availability from the Bureau of Reclamation.

7-10-01  Based upon Bureau of Reclamation increases to the Districts water supply, the KRD Board set the landowner allotment rate at 0.65 CFS per assessed acre.

6-5-01 Based upon Bureau of Reclamation increases to the Districts water supply, the KRD Board set the landowner allotment rate at 0.60 CFS per assessed acre.

5-22-01  Based upon Bureau of Reclamation increases to the Districts water supply, the KRD Board set the landowner allotment rate at 0.55 CFS per assessed acre

4-11-01  The Board of Directors has set the 2001 water allotment at 0.50 cfs (1 acre foot) per acre. This allotment reflects a 28% water supply to the District as projected by the Bureau of Reclamation. Due to the extremely short water supply, water turn-on will be announced at a later date.  Ditch Riders will start taking water orders on April 23rd. The Board has not set a turn-off date. KRD will try to meet later season demands for as long as practical. Please notify your ditch rider or the office if you wish to transfer your water to another landowner this year.

3-9-01   The Bureau of Reclamation released a forecast for Yakima River basin water supply.  It states that if the current precipitation level improves to 100 percent of normal, the KRD will receive 38 percent of the normal allotment (similar to 1994).  There will be updated supply forecasts March 16 and April 6.   The KRD board of directors will next meet on April 10 to decide on how to manage what supplies the KRD will be granted this season.  In 1994, the landowner allotment was 0.68 CFS per acre and the District was only able to operate until August 5.  Bureau of Reclamation will be contacting the Governor's office requesting that a drought be officially declared.  Kittitas Reclamation District is looking to purchase irrigation water for this season to help lessen the drought impacts to our landowners.  Please contact Jack Carpenter for further information.  925-6158 (work) or 925-1215 (home)

5-23-00   Due to the amount of time being spent on water quality issues, this page has not and will not be updated regularly.   Pictures of some of the projects going on in the district without comment will be placed here.

4-7-00   The QAPP (Quality Assurance Project Plan) has been revised and approved by the Dept. of Ecology for our water quality sampling program over the next two years.

1-24-00  Interviews were held on January 21 for the water quality position funded by the DOE grant.  Carol Ready was the candidate chosen.  She is enthusiastic and very well qualified.  She will begin working in the middle of February and her email address will be krdwq@elltel.net.  The KRD would like to thank the other 52 applicants for their time and interest.  A draft QAPP (Quality Assurance Project Plan) for our water quality monitoring program under the two year grant from DOE has been submitted to DOE for review.

12-2-99    This fall KRD crews installed 526 feet of canal liner (Teranap 431) on the Turbine ditch near Tozers Orchard and 526 feet at the outlet end of Dodge Siphon. These two locations were chosen due to their historic blowout occurrences.  Teranap 431 is an elastomeric bitumen geomembrane which combines a SBS polymer with the highest quality asphalt and a puncture resistant polyester reinforcement. A roll of this material is 13 feet wide, 263 feet long and 160 mils thick.  The project began on October 13, 1999 and for 10 days a 5 man crew with the use of the 410E Backhoe prepared these two locations for installation of the Taranap product.  Once the sites where prepared, the installation consisted of rolling out the material and sealing the seams with a propane torch. Then the edges were secured with rebar stakes and back filled. Rip Rap was used for the inlet and outlet transition areas, and a batten strip was used on the outlet structure of the Dodge Siphon.  The installation of this project, took one day and required an eleven man KRD crew using the 320 Excavator and 410E Backhoe. Also, Jack Haines, a Bureau of Reclamation Canal Liner Specialist aided in the installation.  Here are a couple of photos showing the work:

11-29-99    The grant from DOE has been signed (see 10-22-99 news below), and we are advertising for a Water Quality position.  Here is the position description:

Water Quality Specialist

Kittitas County Water Purveyor’s are calling for Statement of Qualifications for a full time Water Quality Staff person. Position Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field; AND: One year of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning. Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year of year, for education. OR: One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 1. OR: A Master’s degree in one of the above fields. Additional background helpful: Excel, Word Perfect or Word, Power Point, GIS, statistics; Grant, plan and report writing; familiarity with the Kittitas Valley and irrigated agriculture. Position pays $15.00 pr. hr. plus benefits. Statement of Qualifications are due at the Kittitas Reclamation District Office; P. O. Box 276, Ellensburg, 98926; by 5 PM, January 7, 2000. For further information about the position please call or E-MAIL Jack or Roger at the KRD office: 509-925-6158.

11-16-99    Here are a couple pictures showing the work being done on the Main Canal near the 1146 spill.

11-2-99    The work on the Main Canal Lining Rehabilitation Project began October 11, 1999.  The project involves demolition and replacement of an existing 1,850 foot long section of the concrete lined canal around the 1146 spill in the Upper County.  The low bid was made by Boss Construction at $222,263.  Along with engineering work done by Dick Haapala of CH2M Hill and the KRD's field inspector, John Konvalin, the total cost of the project is estimated at $230,000.  The project is expected to be completed by the end of November, 1999.

10-22-99    The next Kittitas County Water Purveyors meeting will be October 28, 1999 at 7:00 PM, Sterling Savings.  To get see more about the KCWP see this page.

10-22-99    The KRD will receive a two year grant from the Dept. of Ecology for water quality monitoring and landowner education.  The final grant agreement should be signed by the end of 1999.  This grant will pay for a half-time water quality position to work on the tasks approved within the grant agreement.  The KRD, CID, EWC and West Side Irrigation have agreed to help fund this position full time to address water quality issues beyond this grant.  We will be advertising for this position soon, and hope to have it filled by February, 2000.

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