Washington is divided into 62 Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs) based on natural watersheds. Due to Washington’s varied land uses, hydrology, and precipitation levels, the amount of water available for new water right permits varies dramatically across the state.
What is a WRIA?
WRIAs are areas defined by higher elevation that capture precipitation and funnel rain and snowmelt through smaller subbasins into streams, tributaries, and rivers. Due to Washington’s varied terrain and precipitation levels, water availability is different in each location.
On the WRIA pages found below, you can learn more about the key factors affecting water availability in your WRIA. Note: Some of these pages are still being developed. If you don’t see a link to information for the WRIA you’re looking for, check back soon.
Contact information
Central Region
(Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan and Yakima)
Help desk: 509-575-2597
Eastern Region
(Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla and Whitman)
Help desk: 509-329-3400
Northwest Region
(Island, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom)
Help desk: 206-594-0193
Southwest Region
(Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston and Wahkiakum)
Help desk: 360-407-0278