No Irrigation Shortages This Year – Feds Say Plenty of Water for All

The Federal Bureau of Reclamation just released its "Total Water Supply Available" report for 2013 and it shows no shortages are expected.

The TWSA is based on current river flows, precipitation, mountain snow pack, and reservoir levels as of April 1. The Yakima Basin should have very close to normal water supplies. The Yakima Basin Project supplies the Mid-Columbia's water -- not the Columbia River.

According to Chuck Garner, Yakima Project River Operations project supervisor:

We’ve received below-average precipitation so far this season, but the current snow pack is holding up and the reservoir storage is above average.

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But based upon the current data, we should be good for water this year. Bureau officials do urge water users to practice good conservation tactics because doing so can make a significant difference in how much water is left towards the end of the season.