Residents on Little Spokane River advised to conserve water, plus an opportunity to get involved in the statewide discussion on water management.
SPOKANE - Some 150 junior water-right holders and other residents along the Little Spokane River are being asked to curtail their irrigation or other use of river water until the fall rains.
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) determined through its stream gauge network that the river’s flow has decreased to a point where it’s necessary to ensure water is available for fish and senior water-right holders.
This is the ninth time in 10 years that late summer flows have diminished enough to restrict junior water-right holders and other users from taking water from the river.
Junior water-right holders can check the Ecology Stream Condition Hotline every day until Oct. 1 before irrigating – to see if the river’s flow is below protective flows set by state rule. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-7358. Those without access to a touch-tone phone may call Ecology’s Spokane office at 509-329-3400 to request this information.
Under Washington state law, those who have older, “senior” water rights are protected from having their water supply cut off by those with newer or “junior” water rights.
On Aug. 23, 2010, the flow in the Little Spokane River at one measuring gauge was 109 cubic feet per second (cfs). The minimum flow adopted by regulation for that day was 115 cfs. One cubic foot equals
7.48 gallons.
Ecology established an in-stream flow regulation for the Little Spokane River basin in 1976. Depending on the time of year, the base
(minimum) stream flow ranges from 115 to 250 cfs. It is lowest in the heat of summer.
This year, residents holding junior water rights on the river, and other users, are asked to curtail their use because flows have dropped below the limits set by the state rule.
Keeping the stream flow at healthy levels is essential to protect fish and wildlife habitat so that the Little Spokane River can remain a healthy, robust ecosystem.
Join the Forum
Anyone interested in being part of the statewide discussion on water management can join Ecology’s Water Smart Washington Online Forum on Monday, Aug. 30, 2010.
Ecology’s ongoing mission is to work with Washington communities in support of managing sustainable water resources for the benefit of people and the natural environment. Efforts to fulfill that mission, however, have been handicapped in recent years by inconsistent funding.
Your comments and suggestions will be posted online in the Forum and your questions will be answered. Your participation in the Forum will help shape the policy initiatives Ecology is considering and the proposed legislation that Ecology will be requesting to reform water resource management in Washington state.
Please check Ecology’s homepage on Monday, Aug. 30 and join in the discussion. In the meantime, view the introductory video for the Online Forum.
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Media Contacts:
Jani Gilbert, Communications, 509-329-3495; cell, 509-990-9177;
e-mail: jani.gilbert@ecy.wa.gov
Cathy Cochrane, Communications, 509-329-3433; cell, 509-290-0685; e-mail: ccoc461@ecy.wa.gov
To see the regulation: (WAC Chapter 173-555):
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/wac173555.pdf
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