Watershed Management > Watershed Management Updates by WRIA > Elwha-Dungeness

Elwha-Dungeness - WRIA 18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grants awarded through June 2010

$1,165,104

Projected grants July 2010 - June 2011 

$25,000

Background

Clallam County adopted the Elwha-Dungeness Watershed Plan in June 2005. Recommendations in the plan address many water needs, among them public water supplies, water conservation and efficiency, protection of existing water rights, and development of an instream flow and water management rule by Ecology. The water management rule is one of many steps in implementing strategies of the watershed plan and working toward other water resource-related objectives. A memorandum of understanding with Clallam County is an expected outcome of the rule-related discussions.

The approved watershed plan includes instream flow recommendations for the Dungeness River and lower tributaries, the Elwha River and lower tributaries, and independent streams. In conjunction with the instream flow recommendations the Dungeness River Management Team recommended addressing future domestic needs in the Dungeness basin while protecting and continuing to restore Dungeness River flows. The Elwha Morse Management Team discussions were less detailed but recognized potential problems with water availability and ground water development in the western portion of the Elwha-Dungeness WRIA.

Status of Phase 4 Watershed Planning

Initiation of the Phase 4 detailed implementation plan has been delayed during rule development, but will begin in 2010.

Instream flow status

Ecology proposes to adopt rules for the Elwha-Dungeness watershed in two phases. The first phase will focus on the Dungeness planning area, the eastern half of the Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA). The second phase of rule-making for the Elwha Morse planning area will be contingent upon removal of the Elwha Dam.

Rule development for the Dungeness planning area is underway. Ecology is working with local and tribal governments, planning group members, interest groups, and citizens to develop rule language and water supply options.

WRIA 18 - Instream Flow Rule Activity

Dungeness Instream Flow and Water Management Rule

Resources

• WRIA 18 Habitat Limiting Factors - Executive Summary, Report, Maps
• Quilcene-Snow Watershed Planning WRIA 17
• Dungeness River Management Team
• Chapter 90.42 RCW - Water Resources Management (Trust Water Rights Program)
• Clallam County Watershed Planning Web site
• Additional Watershed-Planning Funded Work
• Well Log Search and View (Ecology)
• Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Homepage
• Audubon Dungeness River Center
• Statewide Water Acquisition Strategy
• Long-term U.S. Geological Survey stream gauge at river mile 11.2
• Real-time flow monitoring gauges (Ecology)

Outside links, publications, studies, data

• WRIA 18

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