04/12/06 Good stream flow forecast

04/12/06 Good stream flow forecast

Washington Ag April 12, 2006 Irrigators and power generators are among those who should like this year's summer stream flow forecast for Washington from the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. The agency's water supply specialist Scott Pattee says that with the state's snow pack currently at 120 percent of average, compared to only 33 percent at this time last year, summer stream flows should be average to above average. Pattee: "Last year we were reporting extremely low forecasts as low as 27 percent of average in some basins. This year we are shooting clear up there at over 100% of average. There are only relatively few basins that are forecasted to have slightly below normal stream flows for spring and summer flows and we still have a little bit of time left too." There may even be the opportunity to hold some of this year's runoff in the reservoirs for next year. Pattee: "Especially in the areas like the Yakima, should have a good opportunity to save a little over, over this next winter, such as we haven't been able to do over the last several years." Pattee says the April report is historically the most accurate assessment because of the snow pack and melt-off cycle. I'm Bob Hoff.
Previous Report04/11/06 Animal ID and beef export markets
Next Report04/13/06 More CRP re-enrollment letters