Kennewick Irrigation District

**For Emergency or Flood Calls Only - (509)586-8000**

MISSION STATEMENT
The Kennewick Irrigation District will deliver irrigation and potable water, and promote related water activities, as authorized by Washington State Statutes and Federal Laws, safely, efficiently, reliably, and economically for the maximum benefit of the water users.

MOSS IN CANALS CAUSES SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS
posted 6/30/2010

The Kennewick Irrigation District is experiencing a large amount of moss in several of the canals. In some areas the moss is restricting water flow causing low water pressure and plugging pump stations and agricultural weir boxes.

The District is continuing to treat the canals with chemicals to reduce the moss growth and to kill what already exists. The District will be making extra patrols to clean weed screens and pump station filters. The District is also asking all customers to clean their personal filters on a regular basis.

2010 WATER SUPPLY FORECAST IMPROVES

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation issued an updated Yakima Basin water supply forecast. Precipitation from April though June was 159% of average, which means that KID, and the other pro-ratable water rights holders are now forecast to receive 100% of their water entitlements through September 30th .

“This has been an unusual water year” said KID District Manager Chuck Freeman. “We were activating a drought plan 90 days ago” he added.

With temperatures forecast to be over 100 degrees this week it is important to use water efficiently.

Another way to manage water demand is for homeowners to irrigate at mid-day. The amount of water lost to evaporation with mid-day irrigating is offset many times over due to reduced operational spills at the end of the canals.

Watering at mid-day lessens the water usage spike that occurs in the evenings and early mornings, which can cause neighborhood ponds to be drained faster than they can be filled. Watering at mid-day will not burn turf grass.

Watering deeply 3 to 4 times per week is sufficient to keep lawns healthy during 100+ degree days. KID customers are entitled to up to 42 inches of water per season.

Reclamation’s 2010 water supply forecast for pro-ratable water rights evolved as conditions changed during the 2010 water year as follows:

On March 10th the forecast was 77%

On April 9th the forecast was 71%

On May 6th the forecast was 78%

On June 7th the forecast was 90%

KID, Roza Irrigation District, Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District and the Kittitas Reclamation District each have pro-ratable Yakima River water rights.

Get a copy of the
2010 KID Newsletter