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Upper Crab/Wilson Watershed Planning (WRIA 43)
Lead agency contact:
Jim DeGraffenried
Lincoln County
(509) 725-7041
Jdegraff@co.lincoln.wa.us
Ecology contact:
Jaimie Short
Department of Ecology
(509) 329-3411
jsho461@ecy.wa.gov
Implementation phase:
Planning phase: Phase 3
Optional elements: Quality, Habitat, Flows, Storage
Plan due: November 2006
Grants awarded: $700,000 through June 2006
Initiating governments: Lincoln County, City of Medical Lake, Spokane County, Adams County, Grant County
Plan website: Water Resources Inventory Area (WRIA) 43 Planning Resources
Progress
The Planning Unit began work in the fall of 2000. Work on a Phase 2 assessment is just now commencing, with the final watershed plan due in November 2006. In January 2003 they signed contracts with Kennedy/Jenks to undertake the water quantity and water quality elements, and with GeoEngineers, Inc. for the instream flows and habitat elements. The Planning Unit is also applied for and received a supplemental grant to study water storage issues.Major issues include instream flow in Crab Creek and its tributaries, private property rights protection, Odessa sub-area and groundwater supply limitations, water for agriculture, water for growing communities, and trout habitat. Although many reaches of Crab Creek and its tributaries go dry during low flow periods, several reaches sustain flow year-round. These perennial, groundwater-fed reaches sustain surprisingly vigorous trout fisheries.
Studies or data relevant to planning for this area
Washington State Department of Ecology home page
Please send additions or corrections to Chris Anderson, (360) 407-6634.