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Department of Ecology News Release - Sept. 18, 2000
00-183
YAKIMA - Stream flows in the Methow River have dropped below state adopted minimums, prompting the Washington Department of Ecology to put water use restrictions into place for some irrigators.
Beginning today, some 60 water users who have interruptible water rights along the Methow River must call the River Flow Information Line on any day they intend to divert water. The recorded message will advise users of the actual river flow, the minimum flow, whether the river is open or closed for water diversion, and when the message will be updated next.
Orders requiring users to call the hot line were mailed Friday, Sept. 15. The order will remain in effect throughout the remainder of the irrigation season. Water users may divert or withdraw water only when flows are above minimum requirements.
Minimum stream flows for the Methow River Basin were adopted by the state in 1976. Water right permits issued by Ecology since that time require that diversions be curtailed when flows drop below adopted minimums.
For more information, call Susan Burgdorff-Beery at (509) 997-1364 or leave a message at (509) 575-2382.
Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509) 575-2610
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
