Watershed Planning > Watershed Planning Updates by WRIA > Methow

Methow Watershed Planning -
WRIA 48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grants awarded through June 2008

$1,078,800

Projected grants July 2008 - June 2009 

$70,000

Background

In 2000, the state legislature provided additional funding for the Planning Unit to establish a baseline hydrologic assessment, including a groundwater study and model, development of a USGS watershed model, and completion of a water quantity assessment. Golder Associates and the USGS calibrated and collected data from 23 stream gauges, modeling groundwater and surface water in the watershed, and conducted a sub-basin specific detailed groundwater study. Information gathered during these efforts is available from the final Phase 2 Level 1 assessment.

The Okanogan County Commissioners adopted the Methow Watershed Plan in June 2005. Plan recommendations included:

• Added clarity and information to support an amendment to the existing instream flow rule.
• Aquifer storage projects.
• Protection for ground water recharge from unlined irrigation ditches.
• Mechanisms to reduce relinquishment of water rights.

Phase 4 work began in November 2008. Phase 4 Year-1 tasks include developing a detailed implementation plan, and completing several obligations identified in the watershed plan.

Instream flow status

Instream flows were set in 1976  (Chapter 173-548 WAC). The planning group (Methow Watershed council) and Ecology have agreed to revisit the rule after gaining new information and clarifying specific rule changes to be proposed.

Link to other resources, studies, data

• WRIA 48