RESERVOIRS FOR WATER STORAGE

AT ISSUE
Adequate water storage for the Columbia and Yakima River Basins for irrigation, municipal and recreational use.

TRI CITY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL POSITION
• Encourage the acceleration of the feasibility study of new water storage projects for the Columbia and Yakima River Basins, as well as other possible sites for water storage and/or aquifer recharge that are cost-effective and timely.
• Revise the Yakima Basin’s 20-year irrigation demand forecast to include probable trends for: 1) non-programmatic efficiency gains in water use (based on technology change cycles and increased water system costs); and 2) changing crop rotations and perceivable market trends affecting Basin production.
• Encourage the Department of Ecology to issue the Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) water permit, allowing for an exchange of water withdrawals between the Lower Yakima River and the Columbia River (KID’s “Alternative 5” approach).  The net increase in flows at Prosser Diversion Dam would be about 400 cfs, raising the flows in a low water-year period to 700 cfs. Under the KID water right, the Red Mountain American Viticultural Area and West Richland would be allowed access to new and much needed water supplies.

BACKGROUND
The droughts of 2001 and 2005 brought long needed attention to the lack of adequate water storage in the Columbia Basin region. The agricultural community was devastated by the shortage of water and related businesses suffered as well. Yakima Basin agriculture generates over $1.3 billion annually and employs over 50,000 people forming the foundation of the Central Washington economy.  New or expanded reservoirs could substantially improve water supply needs for the Columbia Basin area, operating in conjunction with cost-effective and pragmatic water conservation programs.

For more information, contact the Tri Cities Chamber of Commerce.