Watershed Planning > Watershed Planning Updates by WRIA > Wenatchee

Wenatchee Watershed Planning - WRIA 45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grants awarded through June 2008

$1,249,900

Projected grants July 2008 - June 2009 

$338,900

Background

The plan for the 1370 square mile Wenatchee watershed was completed by the planning unit in April 2006 and subsequently submitted to the county for approval. The plan includes a Water Resource Management Strategy to address concerns about protecting and enhancing flows for fish, while at the same time, providing a water reservation to accommodate future growth in the watershed. Thie strategy included proposed new instream flows on the mainstem of the Wenatchee River and several of the sub-basins. The planning unit will work with Ecology in the rule-making process to establish new instream flows.

The Chelan County Board of Commissioners adopted the watershed plan, which includes instream flow recommendations, in June 2006. The planning group began Phase 4 in March 2007 and expects to complete their detailed implementation plan by April 2008.

Instream flow status

Instream flows were set in 1983 (Chapter 173-545 WAC). The planning group developed and approved a new water resource management strategy for WRIA 45. It includes management flows (revised instream flows) at specified control points, a water reserve, and maximum allocations.  Implementation of the revised rule and developing the reservation accounting process has been ongoing throughout 2008.

Link to other resources, studies, data

• WRIA 45