The irrigation season is underway, and it’s starting on the right foot across Central Washington. According to the Bureau of Reclamation’s April Water Supply Forecast, senior water rights holders in the Yakima basin will get their full supply. Junior rights holders will get 96% of their entitlement this season.

“March precipitation, at 42% of normal, fell far short of expectations. Snowpack, as percent of average, has declined about 5% since March 1. The five reservoirs are just over 62% full and filled about as expected in March,” said Chuck Garner, Yakima Project River Operations supervisor.

The April forecast is based on flows, precipitation, snowpack, and reservoir storage as of April 1, along with estimates of future precipitation and river flows. Other future weather conditions that determine the timing of the runoff and the demand for water also are critical in determining streamflows, prorations and the extent to which the reservoirs fill.

“We still have several key months ahead of us that can have a big influence on the ultimate water supply this summer,” Garner added.

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