http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

Reservoir storage levels in the Yakima Basin have fallen to their lowest since record-keeping began in 1971, leaving irrigators grappling with severe drought conditions. Junior water rights holders in the Yakima Basin were projected to receive only 40% of their estimated water allotment this year. Senior water rights holders will still receive their full allotment. As of August 1st, reservoir storage was at 39% capacity, holding just under 415,000 acre-feet of water, which is 55% of the average. KIMA-TV (Yakima, Wash.), Aug 7, 2025 Yakima River basin irrigators with junior water rights will receive 40% of their full allotments as the bureau updated its outlook on July 30 while warning that the water supply could fall as low as 35%. The next forecast update will be Aug. 7. At 40% of a full allotment, the water shortage rivals the record low 37% that supply irrigators received in 1994 and 2001. Irrigators with senior water rights that were issued before 1905 will still get 100% of their requested water, while junior water rights holders have gotten less than a full allotment for the past three summers. Capital Press (Salem, Ore.), July 31, 2025 The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation forecasted that Yakima River basin irrigators with junior water-rights would get 43% of their full water allotments, the lowest percentage in 20 years. The Reclamation Bureau will update its outlook in mid-June and projects the water supply could drop to as low as 34% of normal. Capital Press (Salem, Ore.), June 5, 2025