The wet, snowy weather the region saw last month, is translating into good news for central Washington irrigators. The Bureau of Reclamation’s May 2022 total water supply available forecast for the Yakima basin indicates the water supply will not only fully satisfy all senior users, but junior water rights holders will get their entire allotment at this point in the season.

Between October and April, precipitation was 112% of average; with April reporting precipitation 161% of average. On top of that, the snowpack in the region was 115% of average as of May 1st, and reservoir storage was 87% full.

Reclamation said it will provide an updated water supply forecast monthly, at least through July, using the latest data each month to reflect any changing conditions as they develop.

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