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About SPU
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Water System
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Water Supply
Current Water Supply Conditions and Outlook
December 31, 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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Chester Morse Lake, taken on 12/28/08 by Lloyd Buster
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Supply Outlook
Our overall water supply situation and outlook are good.
Last week, 5.22 inches and 5.33 inches of precipitation were recorded in our Cedar and South Fork Tolt River watersheds, respectively. Snowpack is building in the mountains.
Chester Morse Lake at the Overflow Dike is at elevation 1551.6 feet, about 0.6 feet lower than last week, and about 2.2 feet above its long-term average (based on the years 1989 to 2005). Masonry Pool Reservoir at Masonry Dam is at elevation 1551.4 feet, about 0.6 feet lower than last week, and about 4.8 feet above its long term average. The South Fork Tolt Reservoir at the South Fork Tolt Dam is at elevation 1753.9 feet, about 0.6 feet higher than last week, and about 1.9 feet above 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 109 mgd. That is more than the 103 mgd consumed during the same period last year, and less than the average of 126 mgd used during the same period over the years 1994-2000.
Sockeye salmon continue to spawn in the Cedar, and coho salmon continue to spawn in both systems. Sockeye spawning in the Cedar peaks in late October and is mostly complete by mid-December. Coho typically start to spawn by mid-October in both systems and continue spawning into February. Adult summer-run steelhead continue to hold in the Tolt system. The majority of these fish move into and hold in the upper reaches of the South Fork Tolt River where they will spawn next winter and spring.
We will be providing continuous updates on supply conditions through our website and regular announcements
Related links
Landsburg Mitigation
Water Sources and Treatment
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