Watershed Planning >  Watershed Planning Updates by WRIA > Lower Spokane

Lower Spokane Watershed Planning - WRIA 54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grants awarded through June 2009

$924,000

Projected grants July 2008 - June 2009 

$235,500

Background

The planning group completed the Phase 2 technical report in February 2007 and a multi-purpose water storage assessment in October 2007. The multi-purpose water storage work group did an initial screening and reviewed projected water needs. They then directed the study to focus on the West Plains Study Area because of the declining groundwater level and critical water needs.

The planning group initiated Phase 3 in July 2007, and has formed six work groups to focus on selected issues and develop white papers that will include issues, goals, objectives, and recommended actions for the planning group’s consideration. A draft plan is anticipated to be available for public review in January 2009.

Instream Flow Status

The planning group has completed an instream flow study of selected reaches of the Spokane River and toe-width measurements on Deep, Coulee, Spring, and Little Chamokane creeks. A stakeholder work group was formed in collaboration with WRIA 55/57 to develop integrated instream flow recommendations for the main stem of the Spokane River. The work group did not achieve consensus on minimum instream flows for the main stem Spokane River. However, they did agree upon control points to manage surface water and the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie aquifer.

The State Caucus recommendations for minimum instream flows were used as the foundation for conditions in the Section 401 water quality certification of the Avista hydroelectric dam relicense.  Further work that needs to be completed to develop instream flow recommendations within WRIA 54 includes:

• Added stream flow and fish habitat data on the tributaries.
• Hydrogeological studies.
• Water supply and demand and build-out analysis to develop recommendations for groundwater management.
• Evaluation of a reservation for domestic exempt wells.

The planning group and the State Caucus are considering management options for the lower river, which is more lake-like due to the three hydroelectric dams.

Link to other resources, studies, data

• Spokane River Basin

• WRIA 54