McKay Reservoir is not even halfway full
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The McKay Reservoir is 49 percent full according to the latest report from the Bureau of Reclamation. Water is slowly being released at 11 cubic feet per second to aid fish passage. As things stand now, Lower McKay Creek Water Control District board member Mark Mulvihill, who lives along the creek, said spring floods are not in the picture.
“Knock on wood, we’re in pretty good shape,” he said. “Unfortunately, the snowpack is low. We hope we get a wet spring. We hope we can get the reservoir filled for the irrigators.”
Mulvihill said much has been learned since the flash flood of 2019. Now, instead of simply being used for irrigation, water from the reservoir is also needed for fish passage and dam operators are more aware of the flood threats.
According to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the snowpack in the area is only 30 percent of normal. Conditions in Umatilla County range from a moderate to a severe drought.
EMG photo by Dan Thesman of the McKay Reservoir taken on March 20
