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Chapter 173-507 WAC

Last Update: 6/9/88

INSTREAM RESOURCES PROTECTION PROGRAM—SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN, WATER RESOURCE INVENTORY AREA (WRIA) 7

WAC Sections

HTMLPDF173-507-010General provision.
HTMLPDF173-507-020Establishment of instream flows.
HTMLPDF173-507-030Surface water source limitations to further consumptive appropriations.
HTMLPDF173-507-040Groundwater.
HTMLPDF173-507-050Exemptions.
HTMLPDF173-507-060Future rights.
HTMLPDF173-507-070Enforcement.
HTMLPDF173-507-075Appeals.
HTMLPDF173-507-080Regulation review.

PDF173-507-010

General provision.

These rules apply to surface waters within the Snohomish River basin, WRIA 7 (see WAC 173-500-040). Chapter 173-500 WAC, the general rules of the department of ecology for the implementation of the comprehensive water resources program, applies to this chapter 173-507 WAC.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.22 and 90.54 RCW. WSR 79-10-003 (Order DE 79-8), § 173-507-010, filed 9/6/79.]


PDF173-507-020

Establishment of instream flows.

(1) Instream flows are established for stream management units with monitoring to take place at certain control stations as follows:
STREAM MANAGEMENT UNIT INFORMATION
Control Station No.
Stream Management
Unit Name
Control Station
by River Mile and
Section, Township
and Range
Affected Stream
Reach Including
Tributaries
12.1330.00
So. Fk. Skykomish
River
51.6
28-27-10E
From confluence with N. Fk. Skykomish River to headwaters.
12.1381.50
Sultan River
5.1
17-28-8E
From mouth to headwaters.
12.1411.00
Skykomish River
25.0
12-27-6E
From mouth to headwaters, excluding So. Fk. Skykomish River and Sultan River.
12.1430.00
No. Fk. Snoqualmie
2.2
26-24-8E
From mouth to headwaters.
12.1445.00
Snoqualmie River
40.0
19-24-8E
From Snoqualmie Falls to headwaters, excluding No. Fork Snoqualmie River.
12.1485.00
Tolt River
8.7
31-26-8E
From mouth to headwaters.
12.1490.00
Snoqualmie River
23.0
9-25-7E
From confluence with Harris Creek to Snoqualmie Falls, excluding Tolt River.
12.
Snoqualmie River
2.5
26-27-6E
From mouth to confluence with Harris Creek, including Harris Creek.
12.1554.00
Pilchuck River
1.9
18-28-6E
From mouth to headwaters.
12.1508.00
Snohomish River
20.4
16-27-6E
From influence of mean annual high tide at low base flow levels to confluence with Skykomish River and Snoqualmie River, excluding Pilchuck River.
(2) Instream flows established for the stream management units in WAC 173-507-020(1) are as follows:
INSTREAM FLOWS IN THE SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN
(in Cubic Feet per Second)
Month
Day
12.1330.00
So. Fk.
Skykomish
12.1411.00
Skykomish
12.1430.00
No. Fk.*
Snoqualmie
No. Fk.**
Snoqualmie
Jan.
1
900
2200
260
200
 
15
900
2200
260
200
Feb.
1
900
2200
260
200
 
15
900
2200
260
200
Mar.
1
900
2200
260
200
 
15
900
2200
300
200
Apr.
1
1100
2650
300
200
 
15
1250
3250
300
200
May
1
1250
4000
300
200
 
15
1250
4900
300
200
June
1
1250
4900
300
200
 
15
1250
4900
300
200
July
1
1250
3250
300
200
 
15
950
2170
195
140
Aug.
1
650
1450
130
100
 
15
450
1000
130
100
Sept.
1
450
1000
130
100
 
15
450
1000
130
100
Oct.
1
550
1300
130
130
 
15
700
1700
165
165
Nov.
1
900
2200
210
200
 
15
900
2200
260
200
Dec.
1
900
2200
260
200
 
15
900
2200
260
200
- - - -
*
Normal year flows must be maintained at all times unless a critical condition is declared by the director. The director, or his designee, may authorize, in consultation with the state departments of fisheries and wildlife, a reduction in instream flows during a critical condition period. At no time are diversions subject to this regulation permitted for any reason when flows fall below the following critical year flows, except where a declaration of overriding considerations of public interest is made by the director.
**
Critical year flows represent flows below which the department believes substantial damage to instream values will occur.
Month
Day
12.1381.50
Sulton
12.1445.00
Snoqualmie
(above Falls)
12.1485.50
Tolt River*
Tolt River**
Jan.
1
 
1550
280
190
 
15
 
1550
280
190
Feb.
1
 
1550
280
190
 
15
 
1550
280
190
Mar.
1
 
1550
280
190
 
15
 
1550
280
190
Apr.
1
 
1550
280
190
 
15
 
1550
280
190
May
1
 
1550
280
190
 
15
 
1550
280
190
June
1
 
1550
280
190
 
15
 
1550
280
165
July
1
 
1550
280
140
 
15
 
1100
240
120
Aug.
1
 
770
170
120
 
15
 
600
120
120
Sept.
1
 
600
120
120
 
15
 
600
120
120
Oct.
1
 
820
190
185
 
15
 
1100
280
190
Nov.
1
 
1550
280
190
 
15
 
1550
280
190
Dec.
1
 
1550
280
190
 
15
 
1550
280
190
- - - -
*
Normal year flows must be maintained at all times unless a critical condition is declared by the director. The director, or his designee, may authorize, in consultation with the state departments of fisheries and wildlife, a reduction in instream flows during a critical condition period. At no time are diversions subject to this regulation permitted for any reason when flows fall below the following critical year flows, except where a declaration of overriding considerations of public interest is made by the director.
**
Critical year flows represent flows below which the department believes substantial damage to instream values will occur.
Month
Day
12.1490.00
Snoqualmie
(Carnation)
12.
Snoqualmie
(mouth)
12.1554.00
Pilchuck
R.
12.1508.00
Snohomish
R.
Jan.
1
2500
2800
300
6000
 
15
2500
2800
300
6000
Feb.
1
2500
2800
300
6000
 
15
2500
2800
300
6000
Mar.
1
2500
2800
300
6000
 
15
2500
2800
300
6000
Apr.
1
2500
2800
300
6000
 
15
2500
2800
300
6500
May
1
2500
2800
300
7200
 
15
2500
2800
300
8000
June
1
2500
2800
300
8000
 
15
2500
2800
300
8000
July
1
1850
2180
220
5700
 
15
1300
1550
160
4000
Aug.
1
950
1080
120
2800
 
15
700
800
85
2000
Sept.
1
700
800
85
2000
 
15
700
800
85
2000
Oct.
1
1050
1200
130
2900
 
15
1650
1850
200
4000
Nov.
1
2500
2800
300
6000
 
15
2500
2800
300
6000
Dec.
1
2500
2800
300
6000
 
15
2500
2800
300
6000
(3) Instream flow hydrographs, as represented in the document entitled "Snohomish River instream resource protection program," shall be used for definition of instream flows on those days not specifically identified in WAC 173-507-020(2).
(4) All consumptive water rights hereafter established shall be expressly subject to the instream flows established in WAC 173-507-020 (1) through (3).
(5) At such time as the departments of fisheries and/or wildlife and the department of ecology agree that additional stream management units should be defined, other than those specified in WAC 173-507-020(1), the department of ecology shall identify additional control stations and management units on streams and tributaries within the basin and shall set instream flows where possible for those stations as provided in chapters 90.22 and 90.54 RCW.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21B, 43.27A, 90.22 and 90.54 RCW. WSR 88-13-037 (Order 88-11), § 173-507-020, filed 6/9/88. Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.22 and 90.54 RCW. WSR 79-10-003 (Order DE 79-8), § 173-507-020, filed 9/6/79.]


PDF173-507-030

Surface water source limitations to further consumptive appropriations.

(1) The department, having determined further consumptive appropriations would harmfully impact instream values, adopts instream flows as follows confirming surface water source limitations previously established administratively under authority of chapter 90.03 RCW and RCW 75.20.050.
LOW FLOW LIMITATIONS
Stream
Limitation
Point of Measurement
Evans Creek, Tributary to Lake Beecher
No diversion when flow drops below 2.0 cfs.
800 ft. So. and 800 ft. east of center of Sec. 7, T. 27 N., R. 6 E.W.M.
Foye Creek
Tributary to Riley Slough
No diversion when flow drops below 4.0 cfs.
750 ft. So. and 325 ft. east of N1/4 cor. of Sec. 18, T. 27 N., R. 6 E.W.M.
French Creek, Tributary to
Snohomish River
No diversion when flow drops below 0.75 cfs.
125 ft. No. and 1300 ft. west of E1/4 of Sec. 20, T. 28 N., R. 6 E.W.M.
Langlois Creek Tributary to Tolt River
No diversion when flow drops below 3.0 cfs.
1040 ft. No. and 1250 ft. east of SW1/4 cor. of Sec. 22, T. 25 N., R. 7 E.W.M.
Tate Creek,
Tributary to No. Fk. Snoqualmie River
No diversion when flow drops below 2.0 cfs.
900 ft. east and 870 ft. No. of W1/4 cor. of Sec. 26, T. 24 N., R. 8 E.W.M.
Tulalip Creek, Tributary to
Tulalip Bay
No diversion when flow drops below 2.5 cfs.
1125 ft. west and 125 ft. No. of S1/4 cor. of Sec. 22, T. 30 N., R. 4 E.W.M.
Unnamed Stream (Coon Creek), Tributary to
Pilchuck River.
No diversion when flow drops below 1.0 cfs.
480 ft. No. and 240 ft. west of center of Sec. 19, T. 30 N., R. 7 E.W.M.
Unnamed Stream (Coon Creek), Tributary to
Pilchuck River
One-half of low flow must be bypassed.
800 ft. east and 1100 ft. So. of W1/4 cor. of Sec. 19, R. 30 N., R. 7 E.W.M.
Unnamed Stream, Tributary to
Cherry Creek
No diversion when flow drops below 1.0 cfs.
1000 ft. So. and 400 ft. west of NE cor. of Sec. 16, T. 26 N., R. 7 E.W.M.
Unnamed Stream, Tributary to
McCoy Creek
No diversion when flow drops below 0.5 cfs.
600 ft. west and 100 ft. No. of SE cor. of Sec. 5, T. 27 N., R. 8 E.W.M.
Unnamed Stream, Tributary to
Snoqualmie River
No diversion when flow drops below 30.0 cfs.
350 ft. west and 900 ft. No. of SE cor. of Sec. 5, T. 27 N., R. 8 E.W.M.
Unnamed Stream (Solberg Creek), Tributary to
Snoqualmie River
No diversion when flow drops below 2.0 cfs.
600 ft. west and 1050 ft. No. of E cor. of Sec. 12, T. 25 N., R. 6 E.W.M.
Unnamed Stream, Tributary to
Snoqualmie River
One-half of low flow must be bypassed.
500 ft. So. and 1120 ft. east of center Sec. 28, T. 25 N., R. 7 E.W.M.
Unnamed Stream, Tributary to
Snoqualmie River
No diversion when flow falls below 1.0 cfs.
600 ft. No. of E1/4 cor. of Sec. 28, T. 25 N., R. 7 E.W.M.
Wood Creek, Tributary to
Snohomish River
No diversion when flow drops below 0.75 cfs.
335 ft. No. and 130 ft. east of S1/4 cor. of Sec. 8, T. 28 N., R. 5 E.W.M.
Woods Creek Tributary to
Skykomish River
No diversion when flow drops below 11.0 cfs.
Immediately below confl. of West Fork in SE1/4NW1/4 Sec. 33, T. 28 N., R. 7 E.W.M.
Woods Creek, Tributary to
Skykomish River
No diversion when flow drops below 6.0 cfs.
Immediately above said confl. of West Fork.
Woods Creek, Tributary to
Skykomish River
No diversion when flow drops below 2.5 cfs.
Immediately above confl. of Roesigner Cr. in NE1/4NW1/4 of Sec. 3, T. 28 N., R. 7 E.W.M.
Woods Creek, Tributary to
Skykomish River
No diversion when flow drops below 0.5 cfs.
Roesigner Creek, immediately above said confl. with Woods Creek.
Woods Creek, Tributary to
Skykomish River
No diversion when flow drops below 5.0 cfs.
West Fork, immediately above said confl. with Woods Creek.
Woods Creek, Tributary to
Skykomish River
No diversion when flow drops below 2.5 cfs.
West Fork when it crosses the No. line of Sec. 5, T. 28 N., R. 7 E.W.M.
Unnamed Lake (Morris Lake), Tributary to Horseshoe Lake
No diversion when flow drops below 1.0 cfs.
Lake outlet at NE1/4NE1/4 of Sec. 9, T. 25 N., R 7 E.W.M.
Note:
Affected stream reaches extend from mouth to headwaters and include all tributaries in the contributing drainage area unless specifically excluded.
(2) The department, having determined there are no waters available for further appropriation through the establishment of rights to use water consumptively, closes the following streams to further consumptive appropriation for the periods indicated. These closures confirm surface water source limitations previously established administratively under authority of chapter 90.03 RCW and RCW 75.20.050.
SURFACE WATER CLOSURES
Stream
Date of
Closure
Period of
Closure
Griffin Creek, Tributary to Snoqualmie River
9/22/53
All year
Harris Creek, Tributary to Snoqualmie River
1/20/44
All year
Little Pilchuck Creek, Tributary to Pilchuck River
5/6/52
All year
May Creek, Tributary to Wallace River
10/13/53
All year
Patterson Creek, Tributary to Snoqualmie River
2/19/52
All year
Quilceda Creek, Tributary to Ebey Slough
6/10/46
All year
Raging River, Tributary to Snoqualmie River
9/20/51
All year
Unnamed Stream (Bodell Creek), Tributary to Pilchuck River
9/6/51
All year
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.22 and 90.54 RCW. WSR 79-10-003 (Order DE 79-8), § 173-507-030, filed 9/6/79.]


PDF173-507-040

Groundwater.

In future permitting actions relating to groundwater withdrawals, the natural interrelationship of surface and groundwaters shall be fully considered in water allocation decisions to assure compliance with the meaning and intent of this regulation.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.22 and 90.54 RCW. WSR 79-10-003 (Order DE 79-8), § 173-507-040, filed 9/6/79.]


PDF173-507-050

Exemptions.

(1) Nothing in this chapter shall affect existing water rights, riparian, appropriative, or otherwise, existing on the effective date of this chapter, nor shall it affect existing rights relating to the operation of any navigation, hydroelectric or water storage reservoir or related facilities.
(2) Domestic inhouse use for a single residence and stock watering, except that related to feed lots, shall be exempt.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.22 and 90.54 RCW. WSR 79-10-003 (Order DE 79-8), § 173-507-050, filed 9/6/79.]


PDF173-507-060

Future rights.

No right to divert or store public surface waters of the Snohomish WRIA 7 shall hereafter be granted which shall conflict with the instream flows and closures established in this chapter. Future rights for nonconsumptive uses, subject to the conditions herein established, may be granted.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.22 and 90.54 RCW. WSR 79-10-003 (Order DE 79-8), § 173-507-060, filed 9/6/79.]


PDF173-507-070

Enforcement.

In enforcement of this chapter, the department of ecology may impose such sanctions as appropriate under authorities vested in it, including but not limited to the issuance of regulatory orders under RCW 43.27A.190 and civil penalties under RCW 90.03.600.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21B, 43.27A, 90.22 and 90.54 RCW. WSR 88-13-037 (Order 88-11), § 173-507-070, filed 6/9/88. Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.22 and 90.54 RCW. WSR 79-10-003 (Order DE 79-8), § 173-507-070, filed 9/6/79.]


PDF173-507-075

Appeals.

All final written decisions of the department of ecology pertaining to permits, regulatory orders, and related decisions made pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to review by the pollution control hearings board in accordance with chapter 43.21B RCW.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21B, 43.27A, 90.22 and 90.54 RCW. WSR 88-13-037 (Order 88-11), § 173-507-075, filed 6/9/88.]


PDF173-507-080

Regulation review.

The department of ecology shall initiate a review of the rules established in this chapter whenever new information, changing conditions, or statutory modifications make it necessary to consider revisions.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21B, 43.27A, 90.22 and 90.54 RCW. WSR 88-13-037 (Order 88-11), § 173-507-080, filed 6/9/88. Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.22 and 90.54 RCW. WSR 79-10-003 (Order DE 79-8), § 173-507-080, filed 9/6/79.]