Department of Ecology has announced water restrictions for Touchet River basin irrigators

WALLA WALLA—On Sunday, July 30, the Washington Department of Ecology announced water restrictions for many Touchet River basin irrigators beginning as early as this week.

DOE’s Regional Watermaster Eric Hartwig is planning to call or visit junior water rights holders to inform them of the curtailment order, and he will follow up with status updates throughout the season.

The Touchet River is running about 50 cubic feet per second near its mid-section, and under 20 cubic feet per second at its confluence with the Walla Walla River.

The enduring hot weather and the severe flooding in southeast Washington that took place in February are contributing to low volumes. Most of the low-level snowpack was washed away in a matter of days, and area aquifers weren’t recharged with slow spring melt off.

“If everyone does their part and follows the rules, we’ll make it through these high temperatures with as little pain as possible,” Hartwig said.

If the weather cools, the Touchet River may recover this summer, until then the Dept. of Ecology will limit how much water can be diverted from the river, to protect senior water rights and stream flows for fish and other uses.

The Touchet River watershed includes about 740 miles within Columbia and Walla Walla counties.

The latest information on flows and water right interruption is on the Dept. of Ecology webpage at: ecy.wa.gov/programs/eao/flow/index.html.