PENDLETON, Ore.-While a flood watch remains in effect until Monday, May 20, updated weather forecasts have prompted the Bureau of Reclamation to decrease releases this morning to 100 cubic feet per second out of McKay Dam.
The Bureau of Reclamation, in coordination with the National Weather Service, will continue to closely monitor weather conditions; however, the forecasted amount of rainfall over the next several days has continued to decrease over the weekend.
"With the continued downgrade in the amount of forecasted rainfall, and the normal storage space available, we will begin refilling the reservoir with the incoming rainfall," said Sean Kimbrel, Umatilla Field Office manager.
McKay Reservoir is currently at 97% of normal capacity. Waters stored in the normal capacity are authorized to provide water supply for irrigation, and fish and wildlife purposes during the dry summer months; however, an additional 6,000 acre-feet of storage are available for flood control purposes. The additional 6,000 af of storage is not shown on Reclamation’s Hydromet site.
Be aware that weather forecasts can be uncertain and change over time. Releases may increase or decrease if forecasted precipitation amounts are different than predicted.
For real-time McKay Creek flow information from McKay Dam, visit https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/rtgraph.html?list=mcko%20q&daily=mcko%20qd.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
