Kittitas Reclamation District

05/15/2026

Click to read KRD's May 2026 Newsletter:
https://www.kittitasreclamationdistrict.org/so/21PuOBfhI?languageTag=en

05/11/2026

WATER SUPPLY UPDATE, May 11, 2026 – On May 7, 2026, the Yakima Field Office released their May 1, 2026, forecast for Yakima Project Total Water Supply Available (TWSA). The early estimate of the total water supply available for the May-September period indicates a proration rate of 52%. This 52% value remains unchanged from the early April forecast.

The current KRD landowner allotment for 2026 is set at 1.00 Cubic Feet per Second (or 2.0 acre-feet per assessed acre). This has not changed since it was set by the Board of Directors at their April Board Meeting. KRD will continue delivering water this year in a similar manner to how it has been allocated in past drought years. There will be an initial emphasis on the first cutting of hay and then KRD will ramp down daily diversions targeting mid to late August as the end of the 2026 irrigation season.

KRD will continue to monitor this emergency situation and share information as it becomes available.

Read more:

Bureau of Reclamation

05/05/2026

Family Farm Alliance's Water Review highlights our very own Yakima Basin with spotlights on-farm innovation, irrigation district modernization, fish passage improvements at Cle Elum Dam, the Manastash Creek habitat restoration project, and the long-term vision behind the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan.

Our second Water Review of 2026 is here, and this time we're highlighting Washington's Yakima Basin.

After a recent visit to the basin, our Executive Director Samantha Barncastle saw firsthand how farmers, irrigation districts, tribes, and conservation partners are working together to keep farms productive and rivers healthy through drought, wildfire, and growing pressure on a shared water system.

This new Water Review spotlights on-farm innovation, irrigation district modernization, fish passage improvements at Cle Elum Dam, the Manastash Creek habitat restoration project, and the long-term vision behind the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan.

The story of Yakima is full of collaboration, trust, and relationships built boots on the ground. We're so proud to share it!

Read the April 2026 Water Review here:https://www.familyfarmalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/WATER-REVIEW-Yakima-Basin-April-2026.pdf

04/30/2026

As the weather heads into a warmer stretch, please make sure to keep everyone (including pets) out of the canals and laterals and find safer places to keep cool!

04/13/2026

We are experiencing phone line difficulties in the Ditch Riders' office. Necessary parts to fix the phones have been ordered and the phones will be repaired as soon as possible. In the meantime, please be patient as they can only answer 3 phone lines at the same time. If you do not reach the ditch riders the first time, please try again.

04/09/2026

Water Supply Update - April 2026

On April 9, 2026, the Bureau of Reclamation announced the April forecast for the Yakima Basin water supply. The adopted Total Water Supply Available mid-range estimate for the Yakima Basin indicates the water supply that junior water right holders will receive is 52% for this irrigation season with the low-end estimate at 40%. As a result of the current conditions and this forecast the Kittitas Reclamation District (KRD) has set the water allotment for 2026 at 1.00 cubic feet per second which equals 2.00 acre-feet per assessed acre.

KRD has started water through the canal system beginning at Lake Easton. You will see water flow throughout the canals and laterals while we take care of any issues that may arise. As a reminder, the KRD canal system and operational roads that surround them are for maintenance and operations only. Please be safe, stay out of the canals and laterals as well as off the ditch bank roads.

By Monday, April 13, 2026, landowners throughout the system will be able to order water for deliveries to begin on Monday, April 20, 2026 by calling their Ditch Riders at 509-925-6158 between 7:00am-7:45am.

04/06/2026

03/25/2026

Happy National Ag Day! Here’s a look at the work the Family Farm Alliance has been doing, from leadership transitions to DC advocacy, to time in the field across the West. So proud to be part of it!

03/24/2026

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Pendleton OR
441 PM PDT Mon Mar 23 2026
River Levels for the Yakima River remain high and rain along the
Cascade crest on Tuesday is expected to raise water levels in the
Yakima River at Easton back above minor flood stage Tuesday night
through Thursday morning.

WAZ522-523-250300-
/O.NEW.KPDT.FA.A.0002.260325T1500Z-260326T1800Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Upper Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest-Lower
Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest-
Including the cities of Cliffdell, Easton, Roslyn, Appleton, and
Cle Elum
441 PM PDT Mon Mar 23 2026
..FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY
MORNING...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE...A portion of south central Washington, including the
following areas, Lower Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades
Crest and Upper Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest.
The watch is being issued primarily for the Yakima River near
Easton and would affect Easton and Elk Meadows.

* WHEN...From Wednesday morning through Thursday morning.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Low-water crossings may be flooded.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- The current river level for the Yakima River at Easton is
51.14 feet at 4 PM. Flood stage is at 51.3 feet. The Yakima
River at Easton is forecast to rise to 51.3 feet Wednesday
morning, peak at 51.36 feet Wednesday afternoon and drop
below flood stage late Wednesday night.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared
to take action should flooding develop.

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-120.22123724831867&lat=47.02116303339528

Early-season record warmth will persist across portions of the western and central U.S. through mid week, with high temperatures approaching 90 degrees from Texas to the Ohio Valley. Rain and mountain snow are possible across the Pacific Northwest Wednesday, with Severe Thunderstorms and wintry weat...

01/20/2026

KRD Newsletter - January 2026

NEWSLETTER January 2026