Water use in the Stillaguamish basin

On Sept. 26, 2005, we adopted Chapter 173-505 WAC, the Stillaguamish Instream Resources Protection Program. This rule limits most new water uses in the Stillaguamish basin after that date.

Allowed uses of water

While the rule limits many new water uses, it does not affect:

Water rights established before Sept. 26, 2005.
Permit-exempt groundwater use established before Sept. 26, 2005.
People supplied by city water systems or other large water systems.

Additionally, the rule allows some new uses of water in three limited instances:

Single or small group domestic uses relying on permit-exempt wells, limited basin-wide to five cubic feet per second or 3,231,575 gallons of water per day of groundwater.
Single indoor domestic uses supplied from lakes and ponds, not to exceed 150 gallons per day, per residence.
Stock water uses are limited basin-wide to one cubic foot per second of surface water and 20 acre-feet per year of groundwater.

Tracking new water uses

The rule also requires us to track these new groundwater and stock water uses. We account for new uses annually, based on data from the previous year. The documents below are our most recent records.

Stillaguamish reservation accounting report —accounting through Dec. 31, 2021. We also summarize the accounting methods in this report.
Basin map with approximate locations of new water uses
Ecology’s detailed accounting ledger — Appendix A
Water use by livestock — Appendix B

Contact information

Jess Yates
Stillaguamish rule contact
jess.yates@ecy.wa.gov
206-594-0208

Were you able to find what you were looking for today?*:	Yes No Not sure
What were you trying to find?*:
Please describe your experience. What was challenging? What was helpful? *:	Please include details that will help us address any issues you're reporting. NOTE: There is a 1,500 character limit (including spaces) on this form field.
Was the search tool helpful to you? *:	Yes No I didn't use Search.
How can we improve our website?:	Optional. If you have suggestions, we'd like to hear them! NOTE: There is a 1,500 character limit (including spaces) on this form field.
Your name:	Please include contact information if you'd like a reply.
Email:	If you’d like a reply, please provide an email address.
Phone number:	( ) - Second three digits Last four digits If you’d like us to call you, please provide a phone number.
Which best describes your role in visiting our site today?*:	Business / Consultant / Contractor Government - Local Government - State Government - Federal Government - Tribal Scientist / Researcher Non-profit Washington resident / Public Educator Student Job seeker Ecology employee
PleaseLeaveBlank:	Are you a robot? If not, please do not enter anything in this field.
	ignore
	ignore