Publication Summary

Sinking Creek is a small, partly-intermittent stream located in north-central Lincoln County, Washington (Figure 1). During each irrigation season since the late 1960's, some landowners along the creek have noted less than normal streamflow in the creek and less than normal flow from certain springs tributary to the creek. Studies by Wildrick (1982; 1985) indicate that ground-water pumping for irrigation reduces discharge from the springs, and thereby, reduces streamflow along several reaches of Sinking Creek. In 1990, most of the stream was dry nearly all year. Recently, the Water Resources Program of the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) issued cease-and-desist orders requiring the shut-down of 28 irrigation wells serving more than 12,000 acres of cropland in the Sinking Creek area. This report presents the hydrologic interpretations which led to the regulatory orders.