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Wenatchee River Basin Area Projects
Water Quality Improvement Projects
Wenatchee River Basin
Area
Introduction
The Wenatchee River originates at Lake Wenatchee and drains an area of about
1,371 square miles. It flows through the communities of Plain, Leavenworth,
Peshastin, Dryden, and Cashmere, and meets the Columbia River at the city of Wenatchee.
Annual average precipitation ranges from 150 inches at the crest of the Cascades
to 8.5 inches in Wenatchee.
Rivers, lakes, and streams in the Wenatchee watershed are used by people in
many ways, from forestry, agricultural, municipal, and business needs to
recreational enjoyment and drinking water. These water bodies are also important
spawning and rearing areas for many salmonid species, as well as other wildlife.
Water quality issues
Pollution threatens the health of the watershed and jeopardizes its many
uses. Water in the Wenatchee watershed has been listed on Washington State's
303(d) list for dissolved oxygen and pH.
Other water quality issues include DDT, fecal coliform bacteria, and high water
temperatures.
Why this matters
The Wenatchee River is part of a sensitive ecosystem which its citizens
work hard to protect. Besides business and recreational needs, the
water bodies in this system are also important spawning and rearing areas
for many salmonid species and other wildlife.
What is being done
The Wenatchee River basin has tremendous participation and stewardship by its
citizens. Ecology, in cooperation with local stakeholders and citizens, is
seeking to address water quality issues in the Wenatchee River watershed through
the development and implementation of water quality improvement projects, also
known as total maximum daily loads (TMDLs).
Project information
Related information
Preliminary Assessment of Surface Water and Ground Water Interactions within
the Wenatchee River Watershed (WRIA 45) (presentation, PDF)
Wenatchee Watershed Planning (Ecology Publication)
Focus Sheet: Cleanup Plan - Wenatchee Watershed Cleanup Plan (TMDL) (Ecology
Publication)
Groundwater Data Summary for the Wenatchee River Watershed Total Maximum
Daily Load Study (Ecology Publication)
Preliminary Assessment of Surface Water-Ground Water Interactions Within
the Wenatchee River (presentation; PDF)
Talking Points from May, 17, 2005 TMDL Meeting
(PDF)
Wenatchee National Forest Water Temperature TMDL Information:
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