Entiat River Watershed Assessment Plan

Client: Chelan County Conservation District

Location: North-Central Washington

Summary: Cardno ENTRIX is working with Entiat Watershed Planning Unit to determine appropriate in-stream flows in the lower 28 miles of the Entiat River and the lower two miles of the Mad River in north-central Washington as part of WRIA 46 watershed planning. This watershed is in the semi-arid portion of the state in an environment similar to the Alamosa River Watershed. Cardno ENTRIX used IFIM to develop streamflow recommendations that meet the needs of key lifestages (spawning and rearing) for the watershed?s Chinook, steelhead, and bull trout populations. The flows are being used to attain an ?Optimum Utilization of Flow? through a process that allocates streamflow among out-of-stream uses. The plan takes into consideration the preservation of existing agricultural, domestic, and municipal uses; improvement of fish and wildlife habitat within the stream corridor; promotion of river-based recreation; and maintenance of water quality and channel condition.

Cardno ENTRIX is facilitating a series of workshops to reach consensus on instream flows. A diverse group of landowners, orchardists, state and federal agencies, local government agencies, and tribes comprise the planning unit and share a history of collaborative study and planning in the watershed that dates to 1993. Recognizing sharp differences among members on flow issues and remembering past conflicts, the group sought facilitation both to maintain their working relationships and to resolve their differences. As the group worked, it discovered an interest in addressing both minimum instream flows (regulatory flows conditioning new water rights) and target flows for recovery of listed salmonids. With the conclusion of the initial workshop series the Entiat Watershed Planning Unit asked Cardno ENTRIX to continue for several additional sessions to facilitate discussions between landowners and biologists on use of a water reserve and trust water agreement.