PDFWAC 173-503-040

Establishment of instream flows.

(1) Stream management units and associated control stations are established as follows:
Stream Management Unit Information
 
Stream Management
Unit Name
Control Station No.
Control Station by
River Mile and Section, Township and Range; Latitude and Longitude
Stream Management Reach
Skagit Mainstem:
 
 
 
Skagit River near Mt. Vernon, WA
USGS Sta. #12-2005-00
River Mile (RM) 15.7
From mouth of Skagit River including tidal fluctuation to headwaters.*
Cultus Mountain Tributaries:
 
 
 
Mundt Creek
Stream gage will be installed at RM 3.4
(Sec/Twn/Rng; Lat/Long)
From mouth to headwaters.
 
Turner Creek
Stream gage will be installed at RM 4.2
(Sec/Twn/Rng; Lat/Long)
From mouth to headwaters.
 
Gilligan Creek
Stream gage will be installed at RM 3.2
(Sec/Twn/Rng; Lat/Long)
From mouth to headwaters.
 
Salmon Creek
Staff gage periodically recorded will be installed at RM 4.3
(Sec/Twn/Rng; Lat/Long)
From mouth to headwaters.
*Other additional control stations and instream flows may be established in WRIAs 3 & 4 to improve water management.
(2) Instream flows are established for the stream management units in WAC 173-503-040(1) as follows (See Figures 1 through 3):
Instream Flows as measured at USGS Sta. #12-2005-00 (Instantaneous cubic feet per second)
Month
Day
USGS Sta. #12-2005-00
Skagit River
Jan.
1–31
10,000
Feb.
1–29
10,000
Mar.
1–31
10,000
Apr.
1–30
12,000
May
1–31
12,000
Jun.
1–30
12,000
Jul.
1–31
10,000
Aug.
1–31
10,000
Sep.
1–30
10,000
Oct.
1–31
13,000
Nov.
1–15
13,000
 
16–30
11,000
Dec.
1–15
11,000
 
16–31
10,000
Instream Flows for Cultus Mountain Tributaries, WRIA 3 (Instantaneous cubic feet per second)
Month
Day
RM 3.4
Mundt Creek
RM 4.2
Turner Creek
RM 3.2
Gilligan Creek
RM 4.3
Salmon Creek
Jan.
1-31
6.4
7.9
19.8
4.0
Feb.
1-29
6.4
5.4
19.8
4.0
Mar.
1-15
6.4
5.4
19.8
4.0
 
16-31
9.4
5.4
27.7
4.0
Apr.
1-30
9.4
7.9
31.7
4.0
May
1-31
9.4
7.9
31.7
1.4
Jun.
1-30
9.4
4.9
31.7
1.4
Jul.
1-31
7.6
4.9
39.6
1.4
Aug.
1-31
7.6
4.9
39.6
1.4
Sep.
1-30
7.6
4.9
39.6
4.0
Oct.
1-31
7.6
7.9
23.8
4.0
Nov.
1-30
9.4
7.9
27.7
4.0
Dec.
1-31
9.4
7.9
27.7
4.0
(3) Instream flow hydrograph.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
(4) The instream flow hydrographs, as represented in Figures 1 through 3 in WAC 173-503-040(3) shall be used for identification of instream flows.
(5) Future consumptive water right permits issued hereafter for diversion of surface water in the Lower and Upper Skagit (WRIA 3 and 4) and perennial tributaries, and withdrawal of groundwater in hydraulic continuity with surface water in the Skagit River and perennial tributaries, shall be expressly subject to instream flows established in WAC 173-503-040 (1) through (3) as measured at the appropriate gage, and also subject to WAC 173-503-060.
(6) Future consumptive water rights issued to applications pending at the effective date of the regulation are superior in priority date but shall be conditioned on the instream flows established in WAC 173-503-040 (1) through (3). (RCW 90.03.247)
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.54 and 90.22 RCW, and chapter 173-500 WAC. WSR 01-07-027 (Order 99-05), § 173-503-040, filed 3/14/01, effective 4/14/01.]