WRIA 43WRIA 43Phase 3 Phase 3

INSTREAM FLOWINSTREAM FLOWRECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS

Building a Watershed Plan with the Building a Watershed Plan with the Functions and Values of the WRIA 43 Functions and Values of the WRIA 43

Planning UnitPlanning UnitApril 18April 18thth, 2006 Meeting, 2006 Meeting

No. Issue Statement Rank

ISF-1WRIA 43 is a hydraulically unique and complex system of

streams1

Wqual-1Poor water quality is a threat to human health and the

environment2

Hab-1The physical and biological relationship in Crab Creek is

one of the most poorly understood ecosystems in the northwestern United States

3

Wstore-1 There is insufficient available water resources in WRIA 43 4

Wquan-1 Management of water in WRIA 43 is required 5

WRIA 43 Issue DevelopmentWRIA 43 Issue Development

Basic Over Riding Principal of the Basic Over Riding Principal of the Watershed PlanWatershed Plan

““The Crab Creek watershed is a unique The Crab Creek watershed is a unique and poorly understood physical and and poorly understood physical and biological environment that requires biological environment that requires local input for management to protect local input for management to protect the functions and values of the the functions and values of the residents and landowners within the residents and landowners within the watershed”.watershed”.

INSTREAM FLOWINSTREAM FLOW Steering Committee determined to provide Steering Committee determined to provide

recommendations for an instream flowrecommendations for an instream flow Basic premise was for local citizens to recommend flows Basic premise was for local citizens to recommend flows

before Ecology sets flowsbefore Ecology sets flows ISF study gave recommendations only for the flows which ISF study gave recommendations only for the flows which

would maximize habitat area for the different life stages of would maximize habitat area for the different life stages of trouttrout

Importance of setting an ISF may not be that significant Importance of setting an ISF may not be that significant due to a 1943 BOR water right certificate that allocates “all due to a 1943 BOR water right certificate that allocates “all the unappropriated public waters of Moses Lake, Crab the unappropriated public waters of Moses Lake, Crab Creek, Rocky Ford Creek, and Lind Coulee” from Creek, Rocky Ford Creek, and Lind Coulee” from November 1 to April 15 annuallyNovember 1 to April 15 annually

Ecology is split on whether to set or not (regional v. Ecology is split on whether to set or not (regional v. Olympia)Olympia)

Key Findings of Phase 2Key Findings of Phase 2

For the results of the instream flow study, the consultant For the results of the instream flow study, the consultant specifically referenced: “it is important to understand that specifically referenced: “it is important to understand that this analysis is an assessment of the flows in Crab Creek this analysis is an assessment of the flows in Crab Creek necessary to maintain maximum habitat area for native necessary to maintain maximum habitat area for native salmonids and is not an instream flow recommendation salmonids and is not an instream flow recommendation itself”.itself”.

The study was conducted during drought conditions and The study was conducted during drought conditions and flows greater than 20 cfs were not available. Thus, the flows greater than 20 cfs were not available. Thus, the results are based on the stream conditions as they results are based on the stream conditions as they occurred when the flows were relatively low.occurred when the flows were relatively low.

The study was conducted on two gauging sites that are The study was conducted on two gauging sites that are located 28 miles apart on short perennial reaches of Crab located 28 miles apart on short perennial reaches of Crab Creek. However, an estimated 12 miles of main stem Creek. However, an estimated 12 miles of main stem channel, between the two study locations, is dry more channel, between the two study locations, is dry more often than it flows.often than it flows.

Key Findings of Phase 2 (cont)Key Findings of Phase 2 (cont) The output from the PHABSIM model is for rainbow trout. However, The output from the PHABSIM model is for rainbow trout. However,

since it cannot be sure if rainbow trout in Crab Creek exhibit the same since it cannot be sure if rainbow trout in Crab Creek exhibit the same behavior as fish used to establish the modeling curves, the consultant behavior as fish used to establish the modeling curves, the consultant could not be sure that the curve trends precisely match the behavior of could not be sure that the curve trends precisely match the behavior of rainbow trout that have adapted to the Crab Creek conditions.rainbow trout that have adapted to the Crab Creek conditions.

The hydraulic continuity analysis was unable to establish a relationship The hydraulic continuity analysis was unable to establish a relationship between the flows at the two gauge sites and therefore cannot predict between the flows at the two gauge sites and therefore cannot predict the flow at one gauge based on the flow at the other gauge.the flow at one gauge based on the flow at the other gauge.

The primary conclusion of the instream flow analysis as dictated in the The primary conclusion of the instream flow analysis as dictated in the Phase 2 Technical Assessment was: “given the complex nature of Phase 2 Technical Assessment was: “given the complex nature of Crab Creek’s hydrology, we believe it (the instream flow analysis) is Crab Creek’s hydrology, we believe it (the instream flow analysis) is limited in its ability to represent the actual environment that exists limited in its ability to represent the actual environment that exists throughout the Crab Creek Watershed, and the results should not be throughout the Crab Creek Watershed, and the results should not be extrapolated beyond these areas.” Therefore it is recommended that extrapolated beyond these areas.” Therefore it is recommended that the flow recommendations are only applied to the estimated 1.15-mile the flow recommendations are only applied to the estimated 1.15-mile reach of Crab Creek where each gauging station is located.reach of Crab Creek where each gauging station is located.

Instream flow recommendation for the Rocky Ford Road study reach with 30, 50, and 80 percent flow

exceedence curves

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

10/1 10/29 11/26 12/24 1/21 2/18 3/18 4/15 5/13 6/10 7/8 8/5 9/2 9/30

Day of the year

Flo

w (

cfs)

Recommended Flow 80% ex flow 50% ex flow 30% ex flow

Exceedence Flows and Recommended Flows at Rocky Ford Road

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

10/1 10/31 11/30 12/30 1/29 2/28 3/30 4/29 5/29 6/28 7/28 8/27 9/26

Day of Year

Flo

w (

cfs

)

90% 80% 50% 30% Flow recommendation

Recommended Flows for Protection Recommended Flows for Protection of Fish Habitat (trout)of Fish Habitat (trout)

MonthMonth Rocky FordRocky Ford IrbyIrby

Range in RptRange in Rpt Recom.Recom. Range in RptRange in Rpt Recom.Recom.

OctoberOctober 18-24 cfs18-24 cfs 18 cfs18 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs

NovemberNovember 28-45 cfs28-45 cfs 18 cfs18 cfs >5 cfs>5 cfs 5 cfs5 cfs

DecemberDecember 28-45 cfs28-45 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs > 5 cfs> 5 cfs 5 cfs5 cfs

JanuaryJanuary 28-45 cfs28-45 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs > 5 cfs> 5 cfs 5 cfs5 cfs

FebruaryFebruary 28-45 cfs28-45 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs > 5 cfs> 5 cfs 5 cfs5 cfs

MarchMarch 50 cfs (3/1)50 cfs (3/1) 50 cfs50 cfs 10-28 cfs10-28 cfs 10 cfs10 cfs

AprilApril ↓↓ 37 cfs37 cfs 10-28 cfs10-28 cfs 10 cfs10 cfs

MayMay 24 cfs (5/31)24 cfs (5/31) 24 cfs24 cfs 10-28 cfs10-28 cfs 10 cfs10 cfs

JuneJune 18-24 cfs18-24 cfs 18 cfs18 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs

JulyJuly 18-24 cfs18-24 cfs 18 cfs18 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs

AugustAugust 18-24 cfs18-24 cfs 18 cfs18 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs

SeptemberSeptember 18-24 cfs18-24 cfs 18 cfs18 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs

Recommended FlowsRecommended Flows

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept

Rocky Ford

Irby

CONDITIONSCONDITIONS The Planning Unit does not want to recommend a reservation The Planning Unit does not want to recommend a reservation

account with the instream rule making process and does not support account with the instream rule making process and does not support any such reservation associated with the instream flow rule making any such reservation associated with the instream flow rule making process.process.

Ecology to only condition future surface water diversions to the Ecology to only condition future surface water diversions to the instream flow that are within the perennial reaches of Crab Creek at instream flow that are within the perennial reaches of Crab Creek at the Irby and Rocky Ford Road gauging locations, that section of the Irby and Rocky Ford Road gauging locations, that section of creek which is no further than 1.15 mile upstream of each gauging creek which is no further than 1.15 mile upstream of each gauging station (the reaches that were evaluated in the Phase 2 Technical station (the reaches that were evaluated in the Phase 2 Technical Assessment). This is recommended as a result of the hydraulic Assessment). This is recommended as a result of the hydraulic analysis conducted during the instream flow study between the two analysis conducted during the instream flow study between the two gauging stations which revealed that there is no correlation of flows gauging stations which revealed that there is no correlation of flows between the gauging stations and the creek is flowing under unique between the gauging stations and the creek is flowing under unique hydrologic conditions. And the findings that the instream flow hydrologic conditions. And the findings that the instream flow analysis is limited in its ability to represent the actual environment analysis is limited in its ability to represent the actual environment that exists throughout the Crab Creek Watershed.that exists throughout the Crab Creek Watershed.

CONDITIONS (cont)CONDITIONS (cont) Ecology to only condition future groundwater withdrawals to the Ecology to only condition future groundwater withdrawals to the

instream flow that are demonstrated to have a direct hydraulic instream flow that are demonstrated to have a direct hydraulic continuity to the creek, such as wells within the unconsolidated continuity to the creek, such as wells within the unconsolidated sediment aquifers. Also Ecology to exempt groundwater sediment aquifers. Also Ecology to exempt groundwater withdrawals from an interruptible status if they meet the following withdrawals from an interruptible status if they meet the following provisions:provisions:

– Groundwater withdrawal is extracting groundwater from the Grande Groundwater withdrawal is extracting groundwater from the Grande Ronde basalt aquifers.Ronde basalt aquifers.

– Groundwater wells are cased throughout the unconsolidated sediments Groundwater wells are cased throughout the unconsolidated sediments and a minimum of 200-feet into the basalt bedrock.and a minimum of 200-feet into the basalt bedrock.

– Proponent of a groundwater well to be completed in the unconsolidated Proponent of a groundwater well to be completed in the unconsolidated sediment aquifer and/or Wanapum aquifer that does not meet the sediment aquifer and/or Wanapum aquifer that does not meet the previous two criteria demonstrates there is not a direct hydraulic previous two criteria demonstrates there is not a direct hydraulic connection from the groundwater withdrawal to the stream reach where connection from the groundwater withdrawal to the stream reach where the gauging station is located, which is based upon best available the gauging station is located, which is based upon best available science. science.

CONDITIONS (cont)CONDITIONS (cont)

Ecology to reopen instream flow rule in 10-years after Ecology to reopen instream flow rule in 10-years after initial adoption date and reevaluate if flows should be initial adoption date and reevaluate if flows should be modified if additional data and analysis is available. modified if additional data and analysis is available. Ecology and WDFW will work with the WRIA 43 Ecology and WDFW will work with the WRIA 43 watershed group in a cooperative effort to reach watershed group in a cooperative effort to reach agreement on any future flow modifications, if proposed. agreement on any future flow modifications, if proposed.

Ecology or other state agencies will not propose any new Ecology or other state agencies will not propose any new or modify future existing instream flows within WRIA 43 or modify future existing instream flows within WRIA 43 unless they are negotiated and agreed upon with the unless they are negotiated and agreed upon with the local watershed planning group (and any subsequent local watershed planning group (and any subsequent adaptations to the implementation group). adaptations to the implementation group).

CONDITIONS (cont)CONDITIONS (cont)

Ecology is obligated to use the mutually Ecology is obligated to use the mutually agreed upon flow levels for their draft rule agreed upon flow levels for their draft rule and must start the process over from the and must start the process over from the beginning with local negotiated input if the beginning with local negotiated input if the public testimony at the hearings is strongly public testimony at the hearings is strongly for recommending a different flow level.for recommending a different flow level.

Ecology not to condition any domestic Ecology not to condition any domestic exempt wells to the instream flow ruleexempt wells to the instream flow rule

What’s Next???????What’s Next???????

Process has now been started to develop a Process has now been started to develop a mutually agreed upon flow recommendationmutually agreed upon flow recommendation

Ecology to consult with WDFW with PU Ecology to consult with WDFW with PU recommendationsrecommendations

Ecology & WDFW either accept and agree Ecology & WDFW either accept and agree with recommendations or provide edits to with recommendations or provide edits to recommendationsrecommendations

Process continues until there is a “Mutually Process continues until there is a “Mutually Agreed Upon Recommendation”Agreed Upon Recommendation”

Recommended Flows for Protection Recommended Flows for Protection of Fish Habitat (trout)of Fish Habitat (trout)

MonthMonth Rocky FordRocky Ford IrbyIrby

Range in RptRange in Rpt Recom.Recom. Range in RptRange in Rpt Recom.Recom.

OctoberOctober 18-24 cfs18-24 cfs 18 cfs18 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs

NovemberNovember 28-45 cfs28-45 cfs 18 cfs18 cfs >5 cfs>5 cfs 5 cfs5 cfs

DecemberDecember 28-45 cfs28-45 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs > 5 cfs> 5 cfs 5 cfs5 cfs

JanuaryJanuary 28-45 cfs28-45 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs > 5 cfs> 5 cfs 5 cfs5 cfs

FebruaryFebruary 28-45 cfs28-45 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs > 5 cfs> 5 cfs 5 cfs5 cfs

MarchMarch 50 cfs (3/1)50 cfs (3/1) 50 cfs50 cfs 10-28 cfs10-28 cfs 10 cfs10 cfs

AprilApril ↓↓ 37 cfs37 cfs 10-28 cfs10-28 cfs 10 cfs10 cfs

MayMay 24 cfs (5/31)24 cfs (5/31) 24 cfs24 cfs 10-28 cfs10-28 cfs 10 cfs10 cfs

JuneJune 18-24 cfs18-24 cfs 18 cfs18 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs

JulyJuly 18-24 cfs18-24 cfs 18 cfs18 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs

AugustAugust 18-24 cfs18-24 cfs 18 cfs18 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs

SeptemberSeptember 18-24 cfs18-24 cfs 18 cfs18 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs 28 cfs28 cfs

Gene St.Godard, P.G., L.HGGene St.Godard, P.G., L.HG..

Principal Hydrogeologist/OwnerPrincipal Hydrogeologist/OwnerWater & Natural Resource GroupWater & Natural Resource Group

P.O. Box 28755, Spokane, WA 99228P.O. Box 28755, Spokane, WA 99228509-468-4876, 509-468-4876, stgod1@comcast.netstgod1@comcast.net

www.wnrgroup.comwww.wnrgroup.com

Instream Flow & It’s Relationship to Instream Flow & It’s Relationship to Senior/Junior Water Right HoldersSenior/Junior Water Right HoldersWater Water RightRight

Flow Alloc. Flow Alloc. (cfs)(cfs)

15 15 cfscfs

9.5 9.5 cfscfs

8.0 8.0 cfscfs

7.0 7.0 cfscfs

5.0 5.0 cfscfs

3.0 3.0 cfscfs

S-1(1920)S-1(1920) 2.02.0 OnOn OnOn OnOn OnOn OnOn OnOn

S-2(1930)S-2(1930) 1.01.0 OnOn OnOn OnOn OnOn OnOn OnOn

S-3(1958)S-3(1958) 2.02.0 OnOn OnOn OnOn OnOn OnOn Off**Off**

S-4(1977)S-4(1977) 0.50.5 OnOn OnOn OnOn OnOn Off**Off** Off**Off**

S-5(1990)S-5(1990) 1.01.0 OnOn OnOn OnOn OnOn Off**Off** Off**Off**

ISF(2005)ISF(2005) 2.52.5 OnOn OnOn OffOff OffOff OffOff OffOff

J-4(2006)J-4(2006) 0.50.5 OnOn OnOn OffOff OffOff OffOff OffOff

J-3(2007)J-3(2007) 0.50.5 OnOn OffOff OffOff OffOff OffOff OffOff

J-2(2010)J-2(2010) 0.250.25 OnOn OffOff OffOff OffOff OffOff OffOff

J-1(2020)J-1(2020) 0.250.25 OnOn OffOff OffOff OffOff OffOff OffOffOff=can’t use due to ISF. Off**=can’t use due to rule of prior appropriation (water law)

Flows-Rocky FordFlows-Rocky FordExceedence Curves for Crab Creek at Rocky Ford Road

(Station 12464770)

1.00

10.00

100.00

1000.00

10/1 10/31 11/30 12/30 1/29 2/28 3/30 4/29 5/29 6/28 7/28 8/27 9/26

Day of Year

Flow

(cfs

)

90% 80% 50% 30% 10%

Flows at IrbyFlows at IrbyExceedence Curves for Crab Creek at Irby (Station 12465000)

0

1

10

100

1000

10/1 10/29 11/26 12/24 1/21 2/18 3/18 4/15 5/13 6/10 7/8 8/5 9/2 9/30

Day of Year

Flo

w, c

fs

90% exceed 10% exceed 80% exceed 50% exceed 30% exceed