PDFWAC 173-545-060

Instream flows based on watershed planning.

(1) The instream flows established in this section are based on the recommendations of the Wenatchee watershed planning unit and public input received during the rule-making process. These instream flows are established under RCW 90.82.080, and are necessary to meet the water resource management and ecosystem maintenance objectives of the Wenatchee watershed plan.
(2) Instream flows established in this section protect stream flows from future appropriations, and preserve flow levels that are necessary to protect wildlife, fish, water quality, aesthetic and other environmental values, recreation, and navigational values.
(3) Instream flows in subsection (7) of this section established at new locations or in larger amounts than the instream flows in WAC 173-545-050(1) are water rights with a priority date of November 2, 2001.
(4) All water rights (surface and groundwater) established after the effective date of this rule, and not covered under the reservation in WAC 173-545-090, are subject to these instream flows. Water rights junior to the instream flow may be exercised when flow or groundwater conditions will provide enough water to satisfy senior rights, including the instream flows. New appropriations which would conflict with instream flows shall be authorized only in situations where it is clear that the overriding considerations of the public interest will be served.
(5) Based upon the department's determination of overriding considerations of public interest, the reservation of water established in WAC 173-545-090 is not subject to the instream flows in subsection (7) of this section or WAC 173-545-050(1).
(6) Instream flows are expressed in cubic feet per second (cfs). Instream flows are measured at the control stations identified in WAC 173-545-040.
(7) Instream flows are established for the stream management units in WAC 173-545-040, as follows:
Instream Flows in the Wenatchee River Basin
Based on Watershed Planning
(instantaneous cubic feet per second)
Month
Day
12-4570.00
Wenatchee R.
at Plain
12-4585.00
Icicle Cr. near Leavenworth
12-4590.00
Wenatchee R.
at Peshastin
ECY 45J070 Nason Cr. near Mouth
Jan
1
550
 
267
 
1933
 
120
 
 
15
550
 
267
 
1933
 
120
 
Feb
1
550
 
267
 
1933
 
120
 
 
15
550
 
566
 
2800
 
160
 
Mar
1
550
 
518
 
2800
 
160
 
 
15
700
 
518
 
2800
 
160
 
Apr
1
910
 
650
 
2800
 
160
 
 
15
1150
 
650
 
2800
 
160
 
May
1
1500
 
650
 
2800
 
160
 
 
15
2000
 
650
 
2800
 
160
 
Jun
1
2500
 
650
 
2800
 
160
 
 
15
2000
 
550
 
1933
 
210
 
Jul
1
1500
 
550
 
1933
 
210
 
 
15
1200
 
550
 
1933
 
210
 
Aug
1
880
 
400
 
1933
 
180
 
 
15
700
 
343
 
1400
 
180
 
Sep
1
660
 
275
 
1311
 
165
 
 
15
620
 
275
 
1311
 
165
 
Oct
1
580
 
267
 
1932
 
120
 
 
15
520
 
267
 
2672
 
120
 
Nov
1
550
 
267
 
2900
 
120
 
 
15
550
 
267
 
2900
 
120
 
Dec
1
550
 
267
 
1933
 
120
 
 
15
550
 
267
 
1933
 
120
 
Instream Flows in the Wenatchee River Basin (cont'd)
(instantaneous cubic feet per second)
Month
Day
12-4625.00 Wenatchee R. at Monitor
ECY 45F070 Peshastin Cr. at Green Bridge Rd.
Chumstick Cr. at North Road
Jan
1
1867
 
53
 
To be determined (tbd)
 
15
1867
 
53
 
 
 
Feb
1
1867
 
53
 
tbd
 
 
15
2400
 
120
 
 
 
Mar
1
2400
 
120
 
tbd
 
 
15
2400
 
120
 
 
 
Apr
1
2400
 
120
 
tbd
 
 
15
2400
 
120
 
 
 
May
1
2400
 
120
 
tbd
 
 
15
2400
 
120
 
 
 
Jun
1
2400
 
120
 
tbd
 
 
15
1600
 
110
 
 
 
Jul
1
1600
 
110
 
tbd
 
 
15
1600
 
110
 
 
 
Aug
1
1600
 
80
 
tbd
 
 
15
900
 
80
 
 
 
Sep
1
900
 
80
 
tbd
 
 
15
1338
 
80
 
 
 
Oct
1
1723
 
53
 
tbd
 
 
15
2427
 
53
 
 
 
Nov
1
2800
 
53
 
tbd
 
 
15
2800
 
53
 
 
 
Dec
1
1867
 
53
 
tbd
 
 
15
1867
 
53
 
 
 
(8) Instream flow hydrographs, WAC 173-545-170, Appendix 1 to this rule, shall be used for identification of instream flows on those days not specifically identified in WAC 173-545-060(7).
(9) Future consumptive water right permits issued hereafter for the withdrawal of surface and groundwater from the mainstem Wenatchee River and tributaries shall be subject to instream flows established in subsection (7) of this subsection, except for those withdrawals eligible for the reservation under WAC 173-545-090.
(10) Projects that would reduce the flow in a portion of a stream's length (e.g.: Hydroelectric diversion projects) are consumptive with respect to the bypassed portion of the stream and are subject to specific instream flow requirements for the bypassed reach. The department may require detailed, project-specific instream flow studies to determine a specific instream flow for the bypassed reach. The flows established in subsection (7) of this section shall apply to the bypassed stream reach unless the department, by order, determines that different flows may be maintained in the bypassed reach.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.82, 90.54, 90.22, 90.03, and 90.44 RCW. WSR 08-01-045 (Order 07-06), § 173-545-060, filed 12/12/07, effective 1/12/08. Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.54, 90.22 and 75.20 RCW. WSR 83-13-016 (Order DE 83-8), § 173-545-060, filed 6/3/83.]