How will setting flows affect new water uses?
Since the watershed has chronic low flows in the late summer and early fall, instream flows will not be met at those times. Therefore, unless specific provisions are made, there would be no new year-round (“uninterruptible”) water rights available. For this reason, Ecology is proposing specific provisions to make water available to new users, with certain conditions of use. See the Q&A on future water use. In developing this rule, Ecology is considering the long-term needs of people, farms and fish.
