Dungeness Off Channel Reservoir
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Clallam County and partners aim to construct an approximately 1600 acre feet of water storage next to the Dungeness River. It would be filled during flood season, and then the water used to offset withdrawals for agricultural irrigation. This solution was part of long-time negotiations between irrigation districts with water rights, and salmon recovery interests including the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe. Because of the Olympic rainshadow, the Dungeness Watershed receives less Precipitation that most of the Salish Sea. Water Supply withdrawals for irrigation promised by Water Rights threaten In-Stream Flows that affect both salmon populations and tribal treaty rights.
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/188/Dungeness-Off-Channel-Reservoir
Notes
- Total project cost may exceed $30M making this larger than many salmon recovery investments to date. Because of the nature of the project (water supply) it is unusual for Western Washington, making securing resources more difficult. However this type of concern and project are more common in bioregions to the south. (Pcereghino (talk))
Chronology
- 2019 - A $4M investment from the Stream Flow Restoration Program initiates a string of state funding awards from Ecology and the Washington State Conservation Comission to advance the project.
- 2023 - $2.7M in congressional funding further advances project development.
