Today the United States Bureau of Reclamation released a preliminary forecast for the total water supply available to Yakima Basin irrigation districts. As a pro-ratable water right holder, KID is anticipating a full annual water allotment for the 2016 water season.
After a record drought year in 2015 resulting in necessary and unprecedented actions by the Kennewick Irrigation District, including watering schedules, the District does not anticipate the need for continued restrictions or mandatory enforcement of watering schedules, at this time.
The number released today is an early estimate and conditions and water available to KID can change throughout the season due to such things as, increased air temperatures and lack of precipitation.
KID would like our customers to remember that we live in a region that receives an average of just 7 inches of precipitation per year. Wise water use is always encouraged. KID strongly recommends retraining your lawn by limiting watering of turf grass to a schedule that is less frequent and of a longer duration. This will encourage roots to grow down deeper into the soil, which will better prepare them for the next drought. Consider also, installing high efficiency devices, planting vegetation with low-water requirements and replacing water thirsty lawn grass.