Worst-Case Scenario
Worst Case Scenario. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report.
The crack in the Wanapum Dam has caused a great deal of speculation for a number of agencies here in the state. No one is sure how long this make take to fix and get back to normal. Bruce Grimm with Washington Hort says that they are really looking at it from a worst-case scenario.
GRIMM: That is why I think we have to pretty much take a worst-case scenario to it. We need to be thinking in terms of what is about the lowest possible level we can operate that reservoir at and we should be adjusting our systems now to accommodate that level, not the 609 level. They think 607 is about as low as we can possibly go but here again, it's one of those things that's not in their control.
There are a lot of additional factors and a lot of fingers involved in the decision making process. Bottom line for ag producers is that in short order they will be needing irrigation water.
GRIMM: In about 3 weeks time frame, that's when probably we'll see some real demand for spray applications. Pest control measures will have to swing into high gear. Now we think that probably there are portable pumps around. Some of the irrigation districts are willing to make those things available so growers can go to a central location and fill their tanks and drive a couple of miles back to their ranch to fill up and do those types of things or perhaps they can use the domestic water systems to fill sprayers and those sorts of things.
The other issue coming up very soon will be frost season and the need to use irrigation to prevent a killing frost.
That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.
