Columbia River Mainstem Water Resources Information System

Overview

Washington State law Chapter 90.90 RCW, required the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) to develop a Columbia River mainstem water resources information system by June 30, 2009. The “Columbia River Mainstem Water Resources Information System” (WRIS) web site meets that requirement by providing basic water use, water right and water claim information along the mainstems of the Columbia River and Snake River as defined in RCW 90.90.030 (12).

WRIS is divided into two sections: a water budget and an interactive map. The water budget section provides aggregate totals for water allocation and use. The water use information is derived from metering data. It includes water use by river pool and source.

The interactive map section allows users to view data and documents relating to water rights and claims, including (this interactive map is temporarily unavailable):

• the mapped place of water use and water sources (existing and proposed) for water right certificates, water use permits, applications for water use, and claims of water use as described on the documents maintained by the Program;

• the authorized, claimed, or requested quantity of water (both current and annual) and number of irrigated acres;

• the purpose of water use, priority date or date of first use, as well as the name of record;

• images of many of the water resource documents;

• information regarding metering;

• information not maintained directly by the Water Resources Program such as flow data from stream gauging stations.

Click on the pictures below to access the water budget or interactive map.