The Yakima Basin Storage Alliance (YBSA) believes the benefits of Black Rock Reservoir developed by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) in the Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study (Storage Study) grossly underestimated the value that a new storage facility (Black Rock) can generate.  With 600-800 thousand acre/feet of new water available in the Yakima River, a large lake for recreation and development, and a power generating capacity to assist the new wind power generation projects, the value of Black Rock will exceed the cost of constructing the reservoir.

Construction/Jobs

            The BOR Storage Study Report estimates construction contract cost of $2.21 billion and adding (±25%) contingencies and non-contract costs (±35%) bring the project total cost to $3.749 billion.1.  It is estimated the project will take ten years to compete.  The Washington State Public Works Board estimates that PWTF dollar yields additional economic activity and that each million spent on new construction generates $2.34 million in economic activity and creates additional jobs.

            With an estimated construction cost of $2.21 billion to be expended over a 10 year period the annual expenditure will average approximately $200 million per year.  Based upon the PWTF Board figures an estimated $468 million in additional economic activity and approximately 6000 construction and auxiliary jobs will be created.2

1. The Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study, Washington, November 2006 pg 16.
2. Washington State Public Works Board Investing in Washington, Feb. 2003 pgs 18 & 21.