Wash. Admin. Code § 173-517-090

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

Section 173-517-090 - Instream flows

(1) Instream flows established in this chapter are flow levels which protect and preserve wildlife, fish, stock water, scenic, aesthetic, recreation, water quality and other environmental values, and navigational values.

(2) Instream flows established in this chapter are water rights, which protect instream values from future consumptive appropriations. The priority date of the instream flows is the effective date of this chapter.

(3) Instream flows will be protected from impairment by any new water rights commenced after the effective date of this chapter and by all future changes and transfers of senior and junior water rights, including both surface and groundwater rights. The following water rights are not subject to instream flows:

(a) Water rights existing before the effective date of this chapter as explained in WAC 173-517-020(4).

(b) Water rights appropriated from the reserves of water established in WAC 173-517-150.

(c) Future withdrawals for environmental restoration purposes under WAC 173-517-200, unless included as a permit condition.

(4) Instream flows are expressed in cubic feet per second (cfs), and measured at the control points identified in WAC 173-517-080.

(5) Instream flows are established in Tables 2 through 4 below, for the stream management units identified in WAC 173-517-080.

Table 2 Instream Flows (in cfs) for Big and Little Quilcene Rivers, with Ecology Gauge Number and River Mile (RM)

Month	Big Quilcene River Ecology Gauge #17A060 RM 0.4		Little Quilcene River Ecology Gauge #17D060 RM 0.8
January	120		61
February	120		61
March	190		100
April	190		100
May	190		92
June	190		66
July	190		66
August	167		27
September	94		30
October	180		48
November	120		61
December	120		61

Table 3 Instream Flows (in cfs) for Named Creeks with Ecology Stream Gauges (including gauge number and River Mile (RM))

Month	Chimacum Creek Ecology Gauge #17B050 RM 0.3		Salmon Creek Ecology Gauge #17F060 RM 0.8		Snow Creek Ecology Gauge #17E060 RM 0.4		Tarboo Creek Ecology Gauge #17G060 RM 0.8		Thorndyke Creek Ecology Gauge #17H060 RM 1.2
January	25		21		35		20		24
February	25		21		35		20		24
March	46		40		50		25		45
April	46		35		50		16		45
May	32		26		50		8		30
June	10		26		35		8		30
July	10		9		17		8		12
August	10		9		15		8		12
September	17		9		20		8		12
October	20		12		35		8		12
November	25		21		35		20		24
December	25		21		35		20		24

Table 4 Instream Flows (in cfs) for Other Named Creeks (including River Mile (RM))

Month	Donovan Creek RM 0.4		Howe Creek RM 0.5		Leland Creek RM 0.1		Ludlow Creek RM 0.5		Piddling Creek RM 0.2		Spencer Creek RM 0.0
January	15.5		17.1		33.1		32.1		5.8		13.3
February	10.2		11.3		21.8		21.2		3.8		8.8
March	29.8		32.6		58.3		56.8		12.4		26.1
April	29.8		32.6		58.3		56.8		12.4		26.1
May	19.7		21.5		38.5		37.9		8.2		17.2
June	19.7		21.5		38.5		37.9		8.2		17.2
July	6.1		6.8		13.9		13.5		2.1		5.2
August	6.1		6.8		13.9		13.5		2.1		5.2
September	6.1		6.8		13.9		13.5		2.1		5.2
October	6.1		6.8		13.9		13.5		2.1		5.2
November	15.5		17.1		33.1		32.1		5.8		13.3
December	15.5		17.1		33.1		32.1		5.8		13.3

Wash. Admin. Code § 173-517-090

Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.54, 90.22, 90.82, 90.03, and 90.44 RCW. 09-24-080 (Order 04-02), § 173-517-090, filed 11/30/09, effective 12/31/09.