Some environmental groups are asking the Washington State Department of Ecology to set a standard that would increase the flow of the Spokane River during the driest months of the year.
Late last summer, in the middle of a drought year, the flow in the Spokane River was as low as 600 cubic feet per second. Many of the rocks that are normally under water were exposed, and small pools were left, rather than a free-flowing river.
But that scenario would not be repeated if the Department of Ecology takes a new petition seriously.
Groups including the Sierra Club, Center for Environmental Law and Policy, and American Whitewater have now sent a petition to the Department of Ecology asking that the minimum river flow in the summer be established at 1800 to 2800 cubic feet per second. The current flow rule requires a flow of just 850 cubic feet.
Earlier public comment on the establishment of the 850 cubic foot level featured 2000 comments from those who use the river. But the environmental groups say many of those comments were ignored.
Former Spokane County Commissioner John Roskelly says the increased flows would allow for better fish habitat and increased use of the river by recreationalists like kayakers. He notes, “When water in the Spokane River gets down to 9850 cubic feet per second, it starts to pool and heat up. We're concerned [that within] the fish habitat it will create sluggishness and [] disease. It’s a major problem."
Power generating utilities like Avista Corporation have rights to certain amounts of water. The additional water in the river would have to come from reduced use by communities like Spokane.
Roskelly says the Department of Ecology has 60 days to respond to the petition. If it is ignored, he says the issue will likely wind up in the courts.
