August 2026 Water Supply Update

Will YTID Have Water Into October?

As of mid-August, it remains uncertain whether sufficient water will be available to YTID in October. Water users should plan for the possibility of another early curtailment.

YTID has the authority to set its annual irrigation shutdown date between October 1 and October 15. Under normal operating conditions, the District typically targets shutdown between October 12 and October 15; however, circumstances may require an earlier shutdown within that window.

In recent years following the Retreat Fire, YTID has needed to shut down early to complete critical repairs and mitigation work within a limited construction window before winter conditions restrict access and construction activities in the Tieton Canyon.

Separate from those operational considerations, water supply itself became a limiting factor in 2025 when the Washington Department of Ecology ordered curtailment of pre-May 1905 senior water rights beginning October 6.

For 2026, the immediate water-supply question is whether sufficient water will remain available to YTID during its authorized October period of use, or whether another state curtailment order could require deliveries to end earlier.

Where Things Stand Today

As of August 17, the Bureau of Reclamation reports:

• 465,817 acre-feet (AF) of total Yakima Project reservoir storage
• Storage at 44% of system capacity and approximately 76% of average
• August precipitation at the five reservoirs approximately 64% of average through August 16
• The proratable water supply remains at 58%

Although precipitation for the overall water year has been above average, late-summer precipitation, natural inflows, irrigation demand, and reservoir operations through August and September will determine how much water remains available in October.

Why October Water Remains a Concern

Reclamation operates the Yakima Project reservoir system under a drought-year operating plan that includes a September 30 reservoir storage target of 76,000 AF.

YTID and other senior irrigation districts have repeatedly raised concerns that this target may not preserve sufficient water to meet senior water-right demands through their authorized periods of use.

October 1 Reservoir content in past drought years (AF = acre-feet):

Year	October 1 Reservoir Storage
2005	123,145 AF
2015	168,839 AF
2023	133,514 AF
2024	117,849 AF
2025	90,206 AF

In 2025, approximately 90,000 AF remained in reservoir storage on October 1. Ecology ordered curtailment of senior water rights beginning October 6.

Reservoir storage is only one factor affecting October supplies. Late-season precipitation, natural stream flows, irrigation demand, reservoir operations, and future decisions by Reclamation and Ecology will all influence whether sufficient water remains available.

What YTID Is Doing

YTID continues working with other senior irrigation districts, legal counsel, Reclamation, and Ecology regarding late-season water supplies and protection of senior water rights.

YTID and other senior water-right holders have requested that water rights be administered consistent with the Acquavella Final Decree, applicable settlement agreements, and the doctrine of prior appropriation.

At this time, neither Ecology nor Reclamation has provided assurance that sufficient water will be available to meet senior water demands through YTID’s authorized October period of use, and Ecology has not indicated whether another curtailment order will be necessary in 2026.

What Water Users Should Do

• Plan for the possibility of an early end to irrigation deliveries.
• Closely evaluate crop and water needs heading into September and October.
• Watch for YTID water-supply notices as conditions change.
• Contact the District office with specific delivery questions.

Looking Ahead

YTID will continue working to protect delivery of its senior water rights through the authorized period of use while balancing the District’s critical post-season repair and mitigation needs.

We will provide additional updates as reservoir conditions, precipitation, and agency decisions develop.