Flip-flop on Tieton, Naches rivers starts early

The annual "flip-flop" operation -- in which the Bureau of Reclamation ramps up irrigation-bound flows in the Tieton and Naches rivers while reducing those in the Yakima River -- is under way.

The operation began a bit earlier than usual, with the bureau planning what spokesman Chuck Garner said is a more gradual three-week transition that would be "better for people, fish and other critters."

The lower flows on the Yakima River during the operation are designed to ensure that spring chinook salmon will deposit their eggs at low river levels, thus requiring less water during the winter to keep them covered.

The bureau ensures irrigators' needs during the decreased Yakima River flows by releasing more water from the Rimrock Reservoir into the Tieton.

Those Tieton flows are expected to reach 2,000 cubic feet per second, or even as high as 2,400 cfs, around mid-September.

The bureau plans to divert some water into the Yakima River at the Kittitas Reclamation District's spillway near Thorp sometime around Sept. 7, and will install buoys there to warn river recreationists.

Rafters and floaters should portage around the turbulent waters of that area, where the extra flows will continue until late October.