PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS

Water Resource Assessments

Samish River Basin Level II Watershed Assessment (WRIA 3)

Client: with Duke Engineering and GeoEngineers for the Skagit Watershed Steering Committee and Skagit Council of Governments

Project Description: WPN members, Joanne Greenberg and Karen F. Welch, have finalized the Water Resources Evaluation component of a detailed (level 2) watershed assessment of the Samish River Basin, located just north of the Skagit River delta. Companion reports addressed ground water hydrology (GeoEngineers), and the assessment of instream flows (Duke Engineering). The water resources component focused on surface water hydrology, climatic conditions, water rights, and water use and documented the effect of four water use scenarios on flow.

As part of this effort, the 638 water rights located in the Samish Basin were mapped using ArcView software. Estimates of actual water use were determined for domestic, commercial and irrigated agricultural sectors. Irrigated water use was inferred by crop type based on a crop inventory and crop consumptive use. The spatial distribution of crops was mapped on parcel maps and transferred to ArcView.

Continuous hydrologic modeling (HFAM) was conducted to estimate natural streamflow at thirteen points in the basin. Output from the groundwater model (MODFLOW) was input to the surface water model to assess the net effect of water use on the streamflows in the Samish River Basin. Depletions to the river were modeled from four water use scenarios: current water use conditions, full entitlement of water rights (including exempt well estimates), consumptive use of water rights, and full build out of zoning regulations.

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Wind/White Salmon Level 1 Watershed Assessment (WRIA 29)

Client: with Envirovision, Inc. for WRIA 29 Planning Unit

Project Description: Joanne Greenberg, Karen F. Welch, and Mark Yinger worked with Envirovision, Inc. to complete the level 1 watershed assessment for WRIA 29 located just north of and draining to the Columbia River. The geology, precipitation pattern, and climate change dramatically in both directions (east to west and north to south) in this WRIA creating a complex system. Surface and groundwater quality, hydrogeology, hydrology, and water rights and use were assessed for the five separate subbasins that make up this WRIA. A surface water balance was completed for each subbasin as well to understand the inputs and outputs of the system and the availability of streamflow for instream and out-of-stream uses.

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Nisqually River Level I Watershed Assessment (WRIA 11)

Client: WRIA 11 Planning Unit

Project Description: WPN completed the Level 1 assessment for WRIA 11 (Nisqually River). Major tasks included: summaries of water rights, public water system data, and water use for six sub-basins; evaluated water quality data, instream flow data, and fish habitat information; developed statistical summaries of stream-gaging stations. Project also developed an overall water budget and recommendations for Level II investigations. Project participants: Domoni Glass, Ed Salminen, Jean Caldwell, Joanne Greenberg.

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Chehalis River Basin Level I Assessment (WRIAs 22 and 23)

Client: with Envirovision, Inc. for the Chehalis Basin Partnership

Project Description: The Chehalis is a large basin comprised of two Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs), and is mostly rural. The assessment included evaluation of water quality, fish habitat, and water quantity (hydrology, water use and water rights) in the basin. WPN members, Joanne Greenberg, Karen F. Welch, Bob Denman, and Jean Caldwell lead the water use and water rights, surface water hydrology, ground water and fish portions of the Level 1 watershed assessment, respectively. Tasks included summarizing data by subbasin (30 were defined in WRIAs 22 and 23) for water rights and water use; public water system data from the State Department of Health; extensive fish habitat information, and streamflow. Statistical summaries were generated for 21 stream-gaging stations and flow-duration curves plotted for selected “natural” flow stations. Impacts of past and present land use were identified and, natural streamflow, instream flow rights, and water allocated were graphically compared. Data gaps were identified and recommendations for further research developed. In addition, an exempt-well pilot study was conducted.

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Nooksack River Basin Watershed Assessment (WRIA 1)

Client: Public Utility District #1 of Whatcom County

Project Description: Joanne Greenberg currently represents the PUD #1 of Whatcom County on the water quantity technical team for the WRIA 1 Project and provides technical review of the products from the consultant. This project is a comprehensive basinwide assessment incorporating ground and surface water quantity, ground and surface water quality, and fish habitat. The data and models are being incorporated into a decision support system.

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Klickitat River Watershed Assessment (WRIA 30)

Client: WRIA 30 Planning Unit

Project Description: Domoni Glass is currently managing a six member WPN Team and subconsultants to provide consulting services to the Steering Committee and Planning Unit. The Level I watershed assessment has been completed. Water rights, public water system data, and water use have been summarized for the various subbasins. Water quality data, instream flow data, and fish habitat information will be reviewed and summarized. Statistical summaries of stream-gaging stations are underway. The project developed an overall water budget and recommendations for Level II investigations. Additional work has been completed including water quality monitoring and analysis and identification of potential storage projects.

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Programmatic EIS for RCW 90.82 Basin Plans

Client: with SAIC, Inc. for Department of Ecology

Project Description: WPN is currently working as a subcontract to SAIC to complete the programmatic EIS for actions to be taken under the Basin Planning process specified in RCW 90.82. The basin plans address water rights and allocation, fish habitat, and water quality. WPN is completing the portions of the EIS addressing impacts of the alternatives on water quality and water quantity. Project Participants: Joanne Greenberg, Domoni Glass, and Karen F. Welch

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