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About SPU
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Water System
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Water Supply
Current Water Supply Conditions and Outlook
May 6, 2008
Seattle Public Utilities supplies water to 1.3 million people and businesses in the region. Nearly all this water is from the 90,000-acre Cedar River Watershed and the 13,300-acre South Fork Tolt River Watershed in eastern King County. Our operations must be protective of the environment, particularly the fish and wildlife resources of the Cedar and Tolt River watersheds, while we provide a reliable source of high quality drinking water. This weekly update is intended to provide the latest information on water supply conditions and outlooks.
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Masonry Pool, taken on 05/04/08 by Lloyd Buster
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Supply Outlook
We will be providing continuous updates on supply conditions through our website and regular announcements
Our overall water supply situation and outlook are good. Last week, 2.52 inches and 2.62 inches of precipitation were recorded in our Cedar and South Fork Tolt River watersheds, respectively. Snow accumulation is above normal in both the Cedar and South Fork Tolt Watersheds.
Chester Morse Lake is at elevation 1553.5 feet, about 2.8 feet higher than last week, and about 3.9 feet below its long-term average (based on the years 1989 to 2005). The South Fork Tolt Reservoir is at elevation 1759.3 feet, about 1.8 feet higher than last week, and about 2.1 feet below its long-term average. Water releases from reservoir storage are actively being managed to balance water supply, fish habitat, and flood management objectives for both the Cedar and South Fork Tolt Rivers.
Water consumption for the previous seven days averaged approximately 110 mgd. That is less than the 117 mgd consumed during the same period last year, and less than the average of 137 mgd used during the same period over the years 1994-2000.
The emergence of young Chinook salmon from their redds is complete in the Cedar and SF Tolt rivers. Young coho continue to emerge in both systems and sockeye continue to emerge in the Cedar. Observations so far this season, indicate relatively robust survival of incubating Chinook and sockeye in the Cedar. Summer-run steelhead spawning is complete in the South Fork Tolt River. Winter-run steelhead are expected to continue spawning in both systems through late May or early June. Adfluvial and resident trout are spawning in the Cedar. Salmon eggs and alevins will continue to incubate in the gravels of the Cedar and South Fork Tolt rivers through late May; steelhead eggs and alevins typically continue to incubate in the gravels until early August.
Related links
Landsburg Mitigation
Water Sources and Treatment
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