Wash. Admin. Code § 173-503-040

Current through Register Vol. 24-20, October 15, 2024

Section 173-503-040 - Establishment of instream flows

(1) Stream management units and associated control stations are established as follows:

Stream Management Unit Information

	Stream Management Unit Name Control Station No.	Control Station by River Mile and Section, Township and Range; Latitude and Longitude	Stream Management Reach
Skagit Mainstem:
	Skagit River near Mt. Vernon, WA USGS Sta. #12-2005-00	River Mile (RM) 15.7	From mouth of Skagit River including tidal fluctuation to headwaters.*
Cultus Mountain Tributaries:
	Mundt Creek	Stream gage will be installed at RM 3.4 (Sec/Twn/Rng; Lat/Long)	From mouth to headwaters.
	Turner Creek	Stream gage will be installed at RM 4.2 (Sec/Twn/Rng; Lat/Long)	From mouth to headwaters.
	Gilligan Creek	Stream gage will be installed at RM 3.2 (Sec/Twn/Rng; Lat/Long)	From mouth to headwaters.
	Salmon Creek	Staff gage periodically recorded will be installed at RM 4.3 (Sec/Twn/Rng; Lat/Long)	From mouth to headwaters.
*Other additional control stations and instream flows may be established in WRIAs 3 & 4 to improve water management.

(2) Instream flows are established for the stream management units in WAC 173-503-040(1) as follows (See Figures 1 through 3):

Instream Flows as measured at USGS Sta. #12-2005-00 (Instantaneous cubic feet per second)

Month	Day	USGS Sta. #12-2005-00 Skagit River
Jan.	1-31	10,000
Feb.	1-29	10,000
Mar.	1-31	10,000
Apr.	1-30	12,000
May	1-31	12,000
Jun.	1-30	12,000
Jul.	1-31	10,000
Aug.	1-31	10,000
Sep.	1-30	10,000
Oct.	1-31	13,000
Nov.	1-15	13,000
	16-30	11,000
Dec.	1-15	11,000
	16-31	10,000

Instream Flows for Cultus Mountain Tributaries, WRIA 3 (Instantaneous cubic feet per second)

Month	Day	RM 3.4 Mundt Creek	RM 4.2 Turner Creek	RM 3.2 Gilligan Creek	RM 4.3 Salmon Creek
Jan.	1-31	6.4	7.9	19.8	4.0
Feb.	1-29	6.4	5.4	19.8	4.0
Mar.	1-15	6.4	5.4	19.8	4.0
	16-31	9.4	5.4	27.7	4.0
Apr.	1-30	9.4	7.9	31.7	4.0
May	1-31	9.4	7.9	31.7	1.4
Jun.	1-30	9.4	4.9	31.7	1.4
Jul.	1-31	7.6	4.9	39.6	1.4
Aug.	1-31	7.6	4.9	39.6	1.4
Sep.	1-30	7.6	4.9	39.6	4.0
Oct.	1-31	7.6	7.9	23.8	4.0
Nov.	1-30	9.4	7.9	27.7	4.0
Dec.	1-31	9.4	7.9	27.7	4.0

(3) Instream flow hydrograph.

Figure 1

Click to view image

Figure 2

Click to view image

Figure 3

Click to view image

(4) The instream flow hydrographs, as represented in Figures 1 through 3 in WAC 173-503-040(3) shall be used for identification of instream flows.

(5) Future consumptive water right permits issued hereafter for diversion of surface water in the Lower and Upper Skagit (WRIA 3 and 4) and perennial tributaries, and withdrawal of groundwater in hydraulic continuity with surface water in the Skagit River and perennial tributaries, shall be expressly subject to instream flows established in WAC 173-503-040(1) through (3) as measured at the appropriate gage, and also subject to WAC 173-503-060.

(6) Future consumptive water rights issued to applications pending at the effective date of the regulation are superior in priority date but shall be conditioned on the instream flows established in WAC 173-503-040(1) through (3). (RCW 90.03.247)

Wash. Admin. Code § 173-503-040

Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.54 and 90.22 RCW, and chapter 173-500 WAC. 01-07-027 (Order 99-05), § 173-503-040, filed 3/14/01, effective 4/14/01.