WAC 173-549-020. Establishment of minimum instream flows

(1) Minimum instream flows are established for stream management units with monitoring to take place at certain control points as follows: Stream Management Unit Information Stream Management Unit Name, Control Station Name and Number Control Station Location by River Mile, Section, Township, Range Affected Stream Reach Lower Okanogan Okanogan R. at Malott (12447200) 17.0, 9-32-25E Okanogan River confluence with Wells Pool to confluence of Chewiliken Cr. Middle Okanogan Okanogan R. nr. Tonasket (12445000) 50.8, 8-36-27E Okanogan River confluence of Chewiliken Creek to confluence Similkameen River Upper Okanogan Okanogan R. at Oroville (12439500) 77.3, 27-40-27E Okanogan River confluence of Similkameen River to Osoyoos Lake Similkameen Similkameen R. at Nighthawk (12442500) 15.8, 7-40-26E Similkameen River confluence with Okanogan River to Canadian Border Stream Management Unit Name, Control Station Name and Number Control Station Location by River Mile, Section, Township, Range Affected Stream Reach Lower Okanogan Okanogan R. at Malott (12447200) 17.0, 9-32-25E Okanogan River confluence with Wells Pool to confluence of Chewiliken Cr. Middle Okanogan Okanogan R. nr. Tonasket (12445000) 50.8, 8-36-27E Okanogan River confluence of Chewiliken Creek to confluence Similkameen River Upper Okanogan Okanogan R. at Oroville (12439500) 77.3, 27-40-27E Okanogan River confluence of Similkameen River to Osoyoos Lake Similkameen Similkameen R. at Nighthawk (12442500) 15.8, 7-40-26E Similkameen River confluence with Okanogan River to Canadian Border (2) Minimum instream flows established for the stream management units in WAC 173-549-020(1) are as follows: Minimum Instream Flows in the Okanogan River (All Figures in Cubic Feet Per Second) Month Day Lower Okanogan 12447200 Middle Okanogan 1244500 Upper Okanogan 124426000 Similkameen 12439500 Jan. 1 860 800 320 400 15 830 800 320 400 Feb. 1 820 800 320 400 15 850 800 320 400 Mar. 1 880 800 320 425 15 900 800 320 450 Apr. 1 925 910 330 510 15 1,100 1,070 340 640 May 1 1,750 1,200 350 1,100 15 3,800 3,800 500 3,400 Jun. 1 3,800 3,800 500 3,400 15 3,800 3,800 500 3,400 Jul. 1 2,100 2,150 420 1,900 15 1,200 1,200 350 1,070 Aug. 1 800 840 320 690 15 600 600 300 440 Sept. 1 620 600 300 400 15 700 600 300 400 Oct. 1 750 730 330 450 15 960 900 370 500 Nov. 1 950 900 370 500 15 950 900 320 500 Dec. 1 930 900 320 500 15 900 850 320 450 Month Day Lower Okanogan 12447200 Middle Okanogan 1244500 Upper Okanogan 124426000 Similkameen 12439500 Jan. 1 860 800 320 400 15 830 800 320 400 Feb. 1 820 800 320 400 15 850 800 320 400 Mar. 1 880 800 320 425 15 900 800 320 450 Apr. 1 925 910 330 510 15 1,100 1,070 340 640 May 1 1,750 1,200 350 1,100 15 3,800 3,800 500 3,400 Jun. 1 3,800 3,800 500 3,400 15 3,800 3,800 500 3,400 Jul. 1 2,100 2,150 420 1,900 15 1,200 1,200 350 1,070 Aug. 1 800 840 320 690 15 600 600 300 440 Sept. 1 620 600 300 400 15 700 600 300 400 Oct. 1 750 730 330 450 15 960 900 370 500 Nov. 1 950 900 370 500 15 950 900 320 500 Dec. 1 930 900 320 500 15 900 850 320 450 (3) Minimum instream flow hydrographs, as represented in WAC 173-549-900 , shall be used for definition of minimum instream flows on those days not specifically identified in WAC 173-549-020(2). (4) Future consumptive water right permits hereafter issued for diversion of surface water from the mainstem Okanogan River and the Similkameen River shall be expressly subject to minimum instream flows established in WAC 173-549-020 (1) through (3) except those described in WAC 173-549-070 . (5) Projects that would reduce the flow in a portion of a stream's length (e.g. hydroelectric projects that bypass a portion of a stream) will be considered consumptive only with respect to the affected portion of the stream. Such projects will be subject to instream flows as specified by the department. These flows may be those established in WAC 173-549-020 or, when appropriate, may be flows specifically tailored to that particular project and stream reach. When studies are required to determine such reach- and project-specific flow requirements, the department may require the project proponent to conduct such studies.