Middle Spokane River Watershed Planning - Little/Middle Spokane (WRIA 55/57)

Lead agency contact:

Rob Lindsay
Spokane County Public Works Department, Utilities Division
(509) 477-6024
rlindsay@spokanecounty.org

Ecology contact:

Sara Hunt
Department of Ecology
(509) 329-3579
sarh461@ecy.wa.gov

Implementation phase:

Planning phase: Phase 3

Optional elements: Flows, Storage

Plan due: December 2004

Grants awarded: About $1,367,000 through June 2005

Plan website: Spokane Basin Watershed Planning

Progress

The Planning Unit began work in the fall of 1998. Phase 3 planning started in July 2002. A draft watershed plan was released for review in September 2004, with the final watershed plan due in December 2004. The Planning Unit approved the plan in July 2005. The Plan is still awaiting approval from the counties.

Major issues include water supply to meet a growing population over the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie sole source aquifer, flows in Spokane River, and coordination with Idaho water interests and governments. The Planning Unit is also working to coordinate instream flow assessment efforts with FERC relicensing for Avista Utilities' five hydropower projects on the Spokane River. Flows during the summer are regulated by Post Falls Dam, which provides for recreational uses on Lake Coeur d'Alene. Maintaining lake levels for recreation has negative consequences for downstream flows.

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.