Lewis, Salmon-Washougal Watershed Plan (WRIA 27/28)

Lead agency contact:

Steve Manlow, Salmon Recovery and Watershed Program Manager
Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board
(360) 425-1552
smanlow@lcfrb.gen.wa.us

Ecology contact:

Scott McKinney
Department of Ecology
(360) 407-6389
scmk461@ecy.wa.gov

Implementation phase:

Planning phase: Plan approved by planning unit December 2004

Optional elements: Quality, Habitat, Flows

Plan due: 3rd Quarter 2004

Grants awarded: $1,175,000 through June 2005

Plan website: Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board

Progress

The final Lewis/Salmon-Washougal Watershed Plan was approved by a unanimous vote of the Planning Unit on December 13, 2004. The plan includes water supply, water quality, instream flows, and habitat components. The habitat component of this plan was adopted from the Lower Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Plan, which was the first regional recovery plan completed in the state. Significant results and findings of the watershed plan include:

Most communities, with the exception or Kalama and Woodland, rely on groundwater resources for public drinking water supplies.

Major public water system managers anticipate significant population growth, with groundwater the most feasible source of new water. The primary issue for these water systems is acquisition of new water rights.

Water system plans may not address projected growth in water demand in the commercial and industrial sector. Small public water systems are not projected to grow much in the future.

Water use in the agricultural sector is not well documented. Agriculture water use is likely declining in the region.

Streams in the two WRIAs are low elevation rain-fed systems with very low late summer and early fall flows.

Using reclaimed water from municipal and industrial supply is not practical now but may be in the future.

Low stream flow has been identified as a limiting factor for salmon throughout the two WRIA area.

The Planning Unit worked in collaboration with Ecology and state Fish and Wildlife to develop instream flow recommendation for the East Fork Lewis, Kalama, and Washougal Rivers and associated closures to protect flows. The plan also recommends a reservation of water for future water supply.

The Planning Unit has forwarded the approved plan to the respective counties for review and consideration, with final county action anticipated for spring 2005.

Studies or data relevant to planning for this area

Other resources

Washington State Department of Ecology home page

Please send additions or corrections to Chris Anderson, (360) 407-6634.