03/08/05 Yakima Basin irrigation forecast

Washington Ag March 8, 2005 In the worst case scenario junior water rights holders in the Yakima Basin may only get 14 percent of their normal supply of irrigation water this year. At best they may get 58 percent. The most likely is for junior users to get a 34 percent supply of water. That's what the Bureau of Reclamation says in its March forecast for irrigation water in the Yakima Basin. The forecast is based on flow data, current snow pack and this year's precipitation data. David Murillo, Yakima Project Manager, says it is a very unusual year and snow pack is extremely low, only 22 percent of average. He says even if future conditions are favorable, the water supply is not adequate this year. Specific water delivery levels will not be determined until later in the year. The Bureau says under all conditions senior water rights holders would receive their full supply of water. There is a new custom processor of wool, mohair, angora, alpaca and llama fibers near Spokane in Airway Heights. Its called Quail Run Fiber Mill and its owner Michael Hickey will be the guest speaker at the March 9th meeting of the Spokane Area Sheep Producer's Association. That meeting begins Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Spokane County WSU Extension Center at 222 North Havana. The Association invites wool and other fiber producers from throughout northeastern Washington and northern Idaho to attend. I'm Bob Hoff. .