Kittitas Reclamation District

08/14/2026

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/increase-in-yakima-river-reservoir-water-levels/video_d94e90f6-8b22-5b1a-bf3c-ebbeb0fc8f4b.html

Increase in Yakima River reservoir water levels

08/07/2026

Water Supply Update – On August 6, 2026, the Yakima Field Office released their August 1, 2026, forecast for Yakima Project Total Water Supply Available (TWSA).

The August forecast is based on flows, precipitation, snowpack, and reservoir storage as of Aug. 1, along with estimates of future precipitation and river flows.

The estimate of the total water supply available for the June-September period indicates a proration rate of 58%. This is a 2% increase for the August – September forecast period.

To continue targeting the early days of September for the end of the 2026 irrigation season, KRD is now operating at ½ inch to the acre (4.5 gallons per minute per acre).

Read more here:

Bureau of Reclamation

07/16/2026

We've hit summer and those high temps! The canals and laterals are NOT safe for recreation! Make sure to find a safer place to play in the water and cool down.

07/10/2026

Make sure to join us at the Kittitas County Historical Museum on Saturday! We celebrate 100 years since the beginning of construction on the Kittitas Division of the Yakima Project. Come learn more about KRD and the last 100 years!

07/06/2026

Irrigators welcome increase in water allotments
Rain and cool weather bring some relief to drought-stricken basin

YAKIMA, Wash. — An uncommon boost to water supplies for “proratables” in the Yakima basin is expected to make a real difference to Irrigation districts and their agricultural customers this season.

On July 2, the Bureau of Reclamation announced it had raised the total water supply forecast for junior water rights holders from 52 percent of their full entitlements to 56 percent.
The four percent increase would greatly help growers in the basin, who are facing an unprecedented fourth consecutive year of drought, said Scott Revell, district manager for the Roza Irrigation District.

“We were fortunate to experience some cooler overcast conditions and even a little rain in the mountains in late June,” Revell said. “In addition, the prolonged drought combined with a severe downturn in market conditions has forced farmers to allow some land to go fallow, so we’re supplying water to a smaller district this year. All these things coming together at the same time are providing some relief during this time of water scarcity.”

Revell said the four percent increase meant his irrigation district would receive an additional 10,000 acre-feet of water for May through September, a volume equivalent to 10,000 football fields covered by one foot of water.

The situation is better for early June this year than it was during early June in 2025 and 2024, when total water supply for junior water rights was 43 percent and 47 percent, respectively.

Photo: David Moskowitz | American Rivers

07/06/2026

The District Treasurer position is open until filled and we are starting interviews this week. If you're interested in this position, make sure to bring your resume by the office (315 N Water St, Ellensburg) as soon as possible.

07/05/2026

Come down and listen to Historian Kelsey Doncaster talk about KRD and the impact of the Kittitas Division on our local agriculture next weekend! Thank you to the Kittitas County Historical Museum for putting on this event and helping KRD celebrate 100 years! We cannot wait to see the new museum exhibit on irrigation and agriculture!

See you all there on Saturday, July 11!

💧 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲!

Join us on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟏, at the Kittitas County Historical Museum for A Century of Water: 100 Years of the Kittitas Division, presented in partnership with the Kittitas Reclamation District.

Exactly 100 years after the July 11, 1926 celebration marking the beginning of construction on the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Kittitas Division, we'll commemorate one of the most ambitious engineering projects in our region's history and explore the lasting impact it continues to have on the Kittitas Valley today.

Be among the first to experience our new exhibit, 𝑰𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑲𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒔 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚, featuring historic photographs, artifacts, maps, and stories exploring how water shaped agriculture, settlement, industry, and everyday life throughout Kittitas County.

We're also pleased to welcome historian 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐲 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 for two special presentations:

💧 𝟐:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌
𝐃𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞, 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥
A closer look at one of the most fascinating construction stories behind the Kittitas Division.

💧 𝟔:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭: 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠
From the earliest efforts beginning in 1911 through construction, operation, and the work that continues today.

Both presentations will be 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭, but they will not be livestreamed, making July 11 the best opportunity to experience them in person.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝-𝐭𝐡𝐞-𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 of KRD facilities. Tour registration will be available only during the July 11 event.

We hope you'll join us as we celebrate a century of innovation, perseverance, and the people whose vision helped shape the Kittitas Valley.

📍 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟏
🕑 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝟐:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌 & 𝟔:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌
📍 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦
114 E. 3rd Avenue, Ellensburg

📷 Photo: Looking east along the North Branch Canal from a point above the Rocky Point Tunnel, showing the concrete-lined canal and combination section. The North Branch Canal is visible on the north (left) side of the Yakima River, with the mouth of Swauk Creek at left center. Photographed by J. E. Stimson on July 4, 1929. Yakima-1488. (𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.)

07/02/2026

The KRD office will be closed tomorrow, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day. We will resume normal operating hours on Monday m, July 6, 2026. Wishing everyone a safe 4th of July!

07/02/2026

Water Supply Update – On July 2, 2026, the Yakima Field Office released their July 1, 2026, forecast for Yakima Project Total Water Supply Available (TWSA). Precipitation in the mountains for the month of June was higher than anticipated and the weather was cloudy and cooler than expected in the Yakima Basin. Both of these factors resulted in lower water usage than if the weather was consistently dry and hot. The Yakima Field Office’s estimated total water supply available for the July – September period indicates a proration rate of 56%.

With the 4% increase in water supply availability (from 52% during April, May and June to 56% for July), the KRD has raised the allotment from 1.0 cubic foot per second (2.0 acre-feet per assessed acre) to 1.20 cubic foot per second (2.40 acre-feet per assessed acre).

KRD will now be targeting the early days of September for the end of the 2026 irrigation season.

06/29/2026

Kittitas Reclamation District (KRD) is seeking a detail‑oriented, organized, and dependable individual to serve as District Treasurer. The Treasurer directs and manages all financial functions of the Irrigation District in accordance with Washington State law and government accounting standards. This position ensures fiscal accountability, transparency, and compliance with RCW requirements governing irrigation districts and special purpose governments. The Treasurer plays a critical leadership role in safeguarding public resources and supporting sustainable water delivery through sound budgeting, internal controls, audit readiness, and long-term capital planning.

Click on the link below to see more information. Please submit your resume and cover letter to the KRD office at 315 N Water St., Ellensburg, WA 98926.