The Methow River Basin is a vibrant reflection of the diversity in landscapes across the west. The river flows with the seasons as it carves it way through the valley, supporting the rural communities it passes through. The Methow River is a dynamic system and water is present in a variety of forms at any one time in the basin, from snow pack, to rainfall and stream flow, groundwater recharge, groundwater storage, and surface water storage. Irrigation accounts for the majority of allocated water use in the basin.
The river has populations of Chinook, Steelhead, Bull Trout, Coho, cutthroat trout and Pacific Lamprey, all of which need adequate space and habitat for the basic life requirements. Safe, undisturbed areas for breeding; shelter; food supply; migratory routes and overwintering areas are necessities of fish, yet protection of instream and riparian habitat, may yield the greatest gains for fish and wildlife while involving the least amount of area. WRC is committed to working in the Methow Basin to achieve greater flows for fish populations.
Irrigation changes on the Lehman Farm
Along the banks of the Methow River near Winthrop, on land that has been in his family for 100 years, Charlie Lehman remembers. “When I was a kid, I used to catch 25-pound fish right here,” he says. Thanks to a series of voluntary agreements with WRC, Charlie is providing a major lift to fish and wildlife by permanently restoring and protecting 4 cubic feet per second of his water right as streamflow. In addition, WRC has helped him achieve a 72 percent improvement to irrigation efficiency that allows him to raise corn and hay with less water and to conserve management time for other projects on the farm. Meanwhile, about 8 miles of meandering side channels will now have sufficient water to reconnect with the Methow River, revitalizing refuge habitats that are in short supply.
Low Flow Agreement on Chewuch Canal
The Chewuch Canal Company provides water to over 1,600 acres in the Methow Valley. The canal company is working collaboratively with WRC and the Bureau of Reclamation, and has agreed to reduce the amount of water diverted to its irrigators when flows in the river are low in August and September. This voluntary agreement with the canal company provides important flows when the river needs it most, and is a prime example of collaboration.
Irrigation Efficiency Helping Hancock Springs
A landowner who irrigates from Hancock Springs recently installed an irrigation efficient pivot on his land. WRC is helping the landowner preserve the amount of water that is saved by using more efficient technology by facilitating a temporary donation of this water to the Trust Water Rights Program. WRC is also working on other flow improvement projects adjacent to Hancock Springs, in hopes of improving spawning and rearing habitat in the upper Methow Valley.
Flows for Fish on Wolf Creek
WRC is working with the Wolf Creek Reclamation District to negotiate an agreement to not divert, which would provide an additional 0.5 cubic feet per second in the creek. This transaction will assist in increasing instream flows, which are important for migrating and spawning steelhead, spring Chinook, and bull trout.
