The Water Resources Inventory Area (WRIA) 32 Watershed Plan was completed by the Watershed Planning Unit, in May 2005 and adopted by the Walla Walla and Columbia Counties’ Board of Commissions in June 2005. Members of the local Watershed Planning Unit include local stakeholders representing 29 entities, including the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Walla Walla and Columbia Counties, City of Walla Walla, Gardena Irrigation District No.13 and other governmental and non-governmental entities.

Subsequent to the Planning Unit adopting the watershed plan for the Walla Walla watershed in May 2005. Ecology initiated an update of 173-532 WAC i.e. "Instream Flow Rule", adopted 1977. The Watershed Plan made recommendations for the adoption of a new rule by Ecology that implements both instream flow water rights and protective measures to avoid injury of existing water rights from future appropriations of water. These recommendations can be found in Section 6 of the Watershed Plan, recommendations were made on instream flow levels referred to as “new appropriation flows”, modification of the existing stream closures, and use of winter and spring high flows for water storage projects that improve stream flows for salmon production.

On August 2, 2007 Ecology adopted amendment to 173-532, for further information on the rule:

Rule Amendment Page

Rule Making Documents

A map and image of the four "Instream Flow Management Points is available here:

IF Management Points Map

IF Management Points Image

One important aspect of the rule is its effects on the "Exempt Well Provision" 90.44.050 RCW, please see the following Ecology Documents for further information:

Changes to Future Groundwater Use in the Walla Walla Basin

Outdoor Mitigation Guide

FAQ

Water Meter Specifications