Washington Administrative Code › Title 173 - Ecology, Department of (See also Titles 197, 317, 372, and 508) › Chapter 173-505 - Instream resources protection and water resources program › STILLAGUAMISH RIVER BASIN WATER RESOURCES INVENTORY AREA (WRIA) 5 › Section 173-505-100 - Maximum allocations

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
				High flows provide critical ecological functions such as channel and riparian
				zone maintenance, flushing of sediments, and in and out migration of fish. The
				protection of the frequency and duration of higher ecological flows can be
				accomplished by establishing a maximum amount of water/flow that can be
				withdrawn from the stream above the instream flow levels.
(2) Therefore, the department determines that
				the total consumptive withdrawals from existing and future water rights in the
				Stillaguamish River basin during open periods shall not exceed a total of 300
				cubic feet per second (cfs) as measured at ecology station #05A070, river mile
				11.2. Of that 300 cfs, the maximum allocation is further defined by limits on
				the amount of water that can be withdrawn from specified stream reaches, at
				specific times. Refer to the table and map, below.
Table 9 Maximum Allocation
Water Source*
Open Period
Stillaguamish River from its multiple mouths at
								Port Susan to the confluence of N.F. Stillaguamish River and S.F. Stillaguamish
								River (RM 0 to 17.8).
October 16-June 30
Maximum Allocation 300 cfs
Of that 300 cfs, the following maximums may
								be taken from the specified stream reaches at the specified
								times:
N.F. Stillaguamish, from RM 0 (its confluence with
								the S.F. Stillaguamish) to river mile 17.6.
October 16-June 30
Maximum Allocation 150 cfs
N.F. Stillaguamish River, from RM 17.6 to its
								headwaters.
November 1-June 30
Maximum Allocation 120 cfs
S.F. Stillaguamish River from its confluence with
								the N.F. Stillaguamish River (RM 17.9) to RM 34.9.
November 1-June 15
Maximum Allocation 150 cfs
Pilchuck Creek from mouth to RM 16.4 (confluence of
								Bear Creek).
October 16-May 31
Maximum Allocation 50 cfs
Squire Creek from mouth to its headwaters.
November 1-February 15, and May 1-June 30
Maximum Allocation 20 cfs
Canyon Creek from mouth to RM 11.8 (confluence of
								N.F. Canyon Creek and S.F. Canyon Creek).
December 1-May 31
Maximum Allocation 40 cfs
N.F.
is North Fork
S.F.
is South Fork
RM
is river mile
*
Tributaries to the water sources are excluded from
								the open period unless specifically listed.
N.F.
is North Fork;
S.F.
is South
				  Fork;
cfs
is cubic feet per second;
confluence
= the
				  juncture of two or more flowing streams
Figure 1 Maximum allocations for specific stream
				  reaches (listed above) in the Stillaguamish River basin, measured at designated
				  control points
Click to view
								image
(3)
				All water rights issued after the effective date of this chapter are subject to
				the maximum allocation limits, the instream flows established in WAC
				173-505-050 and other applicable
				provisions in this chapter. Use of the water must be consistent with the
				requirements of the surface water code (chapter 90.03 RCW) and other applicable
				statutory, administrative and case laws.
(4) The department will maintain a record of
				the amount of water allocated from all water rights in the Stillaguamish River
				basin, including those existing prior to the effective date of this chapter.
				When the maximum allocation is fully appropriated for any river, river reach,
				or stream, the department shall notify the appropriate county, in writing. The
				department shall also issue a public notice in a newspaper of general
				circulation for the region stating the maximum allocation is fully
				allocated.
Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.27A,
					 90.54, 90.22, and 90.82 RCW.
					 05-18-016 (Order 02-17), § 173-505-100, filed 8/26/05, effective
					 9/26/05.