Instream flow rules are being enacted in Basins throughout Washington by the Department of Ecology  to set minimum levels for water in streams and address out of stream water use. In the Dungeness Basin an instream flow rule is being developed with Basin stakeholders to address surface and ground water management.  Washington Water Trust in cooperation with Ecosystem Economics of Bend Oregon is working jointly with basin stakeholders, Clallam County and Ecology to develop a water exchange. The primary objective of the water exchange is to support some new water allocations in the watershed while restoring and protecting stream flows in the Dungeness River its tributaries and small independent streams. The project is divided into two overlapping phases- feasibility, strategy, and design of the exchange and initial launch of the exchange.

 In 2009 Washington Water Trust is offering a late season (Aug 15-Sept 15) water lease program to irrigators to restore flows to the Dungeness River.  We are working with nine different irrigators in various irrigation districts and companies to add an additional 2.5 cfs (cubic feet per second) to river flows during the lowest flow period.   Irrigators are paid by the acre to cease irrigation for the last month of the irrigation season while increased flows remain in the river for four endangered salmon species.

If you would like more information please contact:

Amanda Cronin

206.675.1585 ext. 100