PDFWAC 173-528-070
Surface and groundwater closed to further consumptive appropriations.
(1) Based on historical and current low flows and the water withdrawals by existing water right holders, ecology has determined that no waters are reliably available for new consumptive uses from certain surface water sources in the basin. Therefore, all surface waters listed in Table III are closed to any further consumptive appropriation, except as provided in WAC 173-528-080.
Table III
Surface Water Closures
Subbasin Name* | Affected Reach |
Salmon Creek | Salmon Creek from confluence with Lake River (45°43'32"N, 122°44'07"W) to headwaters, including tributaries. |
Whipple Creek from confluence with Lake River (45°45'30"N, 122°44'57"W) to headwaters, including tributaries. | |
Burnt Bridge Creek | Burnt Bridge Creek from mouth at Vancouver Lake to headwaters, including tributaries. |
Lacamas Creek | Lacamas Creek from confluence with Washougal River (45°35'13"N, 122°23'40"W) to headwaters, including tributaries. |
Washougal River | Washougal River from mouth at Columbia River to headwaters, including tributaries. |
Columbia River Tributaries | All surface waters in the Columbia River tributaries subbasin from mouth at Columbia River to headwaters, including tributaries. |
*Subbasin boundaries are shown in WAC 173-528-030, and are consistent with the boundary descriptions used in the watershed plan.
(2) Based on the hydrogeology of the basin, and the location and depth where groundwater withdrawals generally occur, there is a high likelihood that future groundwater withdrawals would capture water that affects closed surface waters. Therefore, the basin is closed to new withdrawals of groundwater (including any new permit-exempt withdrawals) that would affect closed surface waters, except as provided in WAC 173-528-080.
(3) Applications for a withdrawal that would not affect the closed reaches, listed in Table III, shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis under applicable law.