Chapter 4
Water Resources
Section 1
A Precious Commodity By Christopher Dunagan
Large pipes cany rushing -water fromthe impounded Skokomish Riverto thepowerhouse below Cushman Dam.
TheNorth Fork of the Skokomish Cushman, the river rushes swiftly down a River begins its journey from a hillside of boulders. massive snowfield on the slopes In late May, the roaring waters are so of Mount Skokomish in Olympic fresh and clear that it is difficult to perceive National Park. As surrounding the swiftness of their flow. A ripple sparkles forests surrender their store of in the noonday sun, but is quickly gone, rain water — creek by creek, stream by rushing downstream in the blink of an eye, stream — the North Fork becomes a surging following the water's course toward Hood river, a force to be reckoned with. Canal. At Staircase Rapids, reached by hikers Experts measuring the flow in the along a picturesque trail above Lake North Fork say 7,000gallons pass this point
•23* 24 • The Ecosystem in a single second. That's enough water to this indisputable fact have already begun to flush every toiletin Bremerton,then do so engage in a tug-of-war over its future use. again and again every 30seconds. Downstream from Staircase Rapids, a Water is so plentiful in this green land shaft of sunlight breaks through a heavy surrounding Hood Canal that it seems growth of fir and cedars. The sunbeam impossibleto ever run out. The wild and illuminates a deep pool of cold water, which free-flowing rivers provide what seemslike glows likea giant green emerald. The roaring an endless bounty of water as they flowout Nearby, in the shallows, water glides smoothlyover shaded gravel,an ideal rivers are never of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains. Duckabush, Hamma Hamma and nesting spot for salmon and trout. heard in the Skokomish. Their Indian names suggest an Somewhere in these waters, a unique city, which ancient history of never-ending flows. population of juvenile salmon has begun an makes it easy Dosewallipsand Quilcene, Dewattoand instinctive journey downstream. These for people to Tahuya. young chinooksalmon are the descendants ignore subtle You might think there would be plenty of an ancient race of salmon that grew to of water for all uses — for drinking and for ponderous size in the ocean. ways that flushing toilets, for generatingelectricity and But these juvenile fish will never see humans can for diluting industrial pollution. And there the ocean.They remain trapped forever, like tilt the balance ought to be water left over for fish,birds and their parents, by Cushman Dam, a massive of nature. all sorts of wildlife we treasure. concrete structure that has blocked the But as Will Rogers might say of water, normal flow of the North Forth since 1926. as he once said of land: 'They ain't makin' "I've always been intrigued by those any more of it." fish," said Frank Haw, a former Department In Bremerton and Port Townsend, of Fisheries expert and now a private when somebody turns on a water faucet, he consultant. expects to get clean drinking water. A Gig Haw first became aware of the land Harbor resident expects that his lights will locked salmon more than a quarter-century go on when he flips a switch. ago when he saw the silhouetteof a big These people who live miles from salmon painted on a board, which was Hood Canal can be thankful for its mighty hanging in a bar near Cushman. Someone rivers. told him the imprint was from a king salmon Bremerton water customers can thank taken out of the lake. the Union River. "In 1967,1 caught one, a 12-pounder," Port Townsend residents and employ said Haw. 'That was the first one I'd actually ees at the town's paper mill can thank the seen in there." Quilcene. Haw was fascinated by the realization Gig Harbor residents can thank the that these salmon are being born in the North Fork of the Skokomish (as well as a stream above Lake Cushman, but they live power swap among electricutilities). most of their lives in the lake, never able to The roaring rivers are never heard in get past the man-made structure. the city, which makes it easy for people to Since then, fall chinook have been ignoresubtle ways that humans can tiltthe planted in Roosevelt Lake behind Grand balance of nature. Coulee Dam as well as in Lake Chelan, both Even families on private wells cannot in Eastern Washington. escape the water equation. They, too, are "But the interesting thing about dependent on rainfallto replenishthe Cushman," said Haw, "is that it appears to groundwater supply. Hydrologists some have gotten going without anybody's help." times worry that this hidden store of water is The numbers ofCushman chinook are more vulnerable to depletion because people never very high, and these fish grow more cannot observe it. slowly than they would in the ocean.Lakes Water is the common denominator are not the most suitable habitat for salmon. among all living things,but it is easilytaken But the mere survival of these fish, says for granted — especially in the wetter years Haw, is a tribute to their adaptability. when people jokeabout growing webbed While the unique land-locked chinook feet. are at least a curiosity, another issue at Despite heavy precipitation, despite Cushman is brewing into a multimillion- ever-flowing streams, the amount ofwater is dollar controversy. indeed limited. And people who understand The Cushman Project, built by the city Water Resources • 25 of Tacoma,consistsof two dams and power- officials agree to release,about 225gallons generating facilities, producing a total of 124 per second. Original flows in that stretch of megawatts of electricity,enough to power river ranged from 1,500 to 12,000 gallons per 20,000average homes. second. The project, which is due for a new To compensate for lost fish habitat, federal license, is being examined by Tacoma Tacoma built a fish hatchery on Purdy officials, the Skokomish Tribe and various Creek, a tributary to the Skokomish River. resource agencies for its continuing impacts The George Adams Hatchery, now run by 7,000 gallons on the environment. the state, produces substan of water pass a The dam not only tial numbers ofcoho and blocked migration of salmon Lake Cushman chinook. But fishery experts point on the into the upper reaches of the say it has contributed to the North Forkof North Fork, but it essentially depletion of wild salmon the Skokomish dried up four miles of prime runs in the Skokomish River River every fish habitat downstream system. second. That's from the dam. The Skokomish Tribe, enough water Water from the North which traditionally depended Fork flows into Lake on the Skokomish and its to flush every Cushman, then through a tributaries, plans to seek toilet in power plant before returning increased streamflows in the Bremerton, to the stream channel. A mile North Fork as well as addi then do so downstream, the water tional compensation as again and enters a second manmade Tacoma City Light seeks its lake, known as Lake Ko- new operating license. again every 30 kanee, a fraction of the size of A similar licensing seconds. Lake Cushman. The 4,000-acre lake program on the Elwha River Tacoma City Light feeds a Tacoma near Port Angeles has led to a operates the two dams in City Light well-considered proposal to concert to produce far more hydroelectric power remove a pair of dams and power than a single dam plantcapable of attempt to restore one of the could alone. most productive salmon runs As it leaves Lake powering 20,000 in the history of the Olympic Kokanee, the water takes a typical homes. Peninsula. controversial left-hand turn. Nobody proposes Instead of returning to the stream channel, tearing out the Cushman dams, but Tacoma the flow is diverted through three 10-foot-tall City Light acknowledges its responsibility to pipes, which slope down the side of a hill care for the environment if the city is to overlooking Hood Canal. continue enjoying power from the North From a technical viewpoint, the project Fork. is marvelous. The falling water produces maximum output from a second power plant constructed at the bottom of the hill A new way ofthinking about water is next to Highway 101. evident today, argues David Fluharty of the The water gives up its energy to a Institute for Marine Studies at the University whining turbine, which spins a generator, of Washington. sending electriccurrent down a high-voltage "Before,we thought only about how power line toward Tacoma. Its hydro- water could be put to beneficial use," he potential expended, the water is then said, "but now we realize that even in areas dumped directly into Hood Canal. of abundance, water is already allocated to Somehow forgotten in the design of something." this power project was the original stream State law is based on the notion that channel of the North Fork. Eight miles of the the first person to remove the water and river suffered massive depletion of water; at "use" it has first rights to own it, said least four of those miles became unsuitable Fluharty. But that way of thinking could for spawning, a major blow to the salmon change. resource. Under a pact signed at Lake Chelan in Today, the only flow in the North Fork November 1990,every group interested in below the two dams is that which Tacoma the future of water resources agreed to a 26 • The Ecosystem step-by-step process that could alter state electricity. water law in new and interesting ways. The big lake provides recreation for The first-use rule may have worked in boaters and fishermen, a state park for the Wild West, said Fluharty, but today camping, not to mention 23 miles of shore people are asking whether it serves the best line property, now dotted with vacation interest of society as a whole. A new propo homes. sition is taking hold: That the ecosystem Nobody argues that fish and wildlife The Cushman itself has water rights. habitat were destroyed when the dam was Project, built Meanwhile, small and large hydro built,saysJackson, but the benefitsof the projects have been proposed on all the major dam have stood the test of time. The project by thecity of rivers of Hood Canal. In addition, continues to produce clean, non-polluting Tacoma, Bremerton, Port Townsend and the Kitsap power when the alternatives are coal or consists of two County PublicUtilityDistricthave asked for nuclear generation. dams and the right to remove drinking water from the "We are bringing a 1920s-vintage projectinto the current world," he said. "The power- Hamma Hamma, Dosewallips and Duckabush rivers. process for relicensing is recognizing what generating Ifany of these projects are pushed our responsibilitieswill be for the next 30 facilities, forward, they are likely to faceopposition years. We have significantproposals for fish, producinga from people who believe the water is more wildlife habitat and wetlands." total of'124 valuable left alone in the rivers. One of Tacoma's proposals is to megawatts of Garth Jackson, a Tacoma official in purchase 3,000-4,000 acres to be protected as charge of winning a new licensefor wildlife habitat, said Jackson. State agencies electricity, Cushman, stood outside a concrete building have suggested that 15,000 acres would be enough to and listened to a high-pitched whine coming more appropriate. power 20,000 from within: the sound of spinning turbines The Federal Energy Regulatory average homes. at Cushman's upper power plant. Commission is supposed to balance all the The amount of power you get from a interests in considering the license applica dam is governed by the volume of water as tion. well as the "head," or vertical distance the Whatever costs are expended to water drops through a pipe and into a mitigate damage from the dams will be turbine, Jackson explained. passed along to power customers as a rate "That dam generates more power," he increase, Jackson noted, as he stood outside said, glancingin the directionof the lower the upper power plant and watched a series dam. "This one gives more regulation." of small whirlpools created by the turbu Lake Cushman covers 4,000 acres and lence of water rushing out of the turbines. can hold 150billion gallons of water. The He pondered the future of Cushman and dam controls flooding in the valley below, how much might be expected in the name of and virtually all of the water can be sent the environment. through both power plants to generate
Rivers of Hood Canal
Themajor rivers of Hood Canalstill • Quilcene (KWIL-seen):From quil- bear their Indian names: ceed-o-bish, meaning "salt water people." • Dewatto (De-WAH-toh): From It was the name of a band ofTwana du-a-to, meaning "home of evil spirits Indians who lived around Dabob Bay. who make men crazy." • Skokomish: From Skokomish • Dosewallips (dohs-ee-WAH-lips): s'kaw, meaning "fresh water," and mish, FromTwana Dos-wailopsh, a legendary meaning "people." man who was turned into a mountain, • Tahuya: From Twana ta and ho-i, which is the river's source. meaning "that done" in referenceto some •Hamma Hamma (HAM-uh HAM- notable occurrence long ago. uh): A phonetic corruption of Hab'hab, — Source: fanes Phillips, the name of a Twana villageat the mouth Washington State Place Names of Hood Canal. Water Resources • 27
Negotiating Water Rights
Tacoma's Cushman Project is about to more than the South Fork or the main be thrust into a process that could stem," he said. either settle a number of environ Furthermore, the 4,000 acres now mental issues in southwest Hood Canal occupied by Lake Cushman contained — or else lead to a major court battle. vast populations of elk that were hunted "Weknow by Byfallof 1991, Tacoma officialswill by the tribe. There were waterfalls with talking to the sit down with lawyers for the Skokomish religious significancethat now lie under tribes that a Tribe to work out a mitigation plan for water. relicensing the two Cushman dams. "It is just a vestige of what it once lot was lost by How much water should flow in the was," he said. them. We don't North Fork of the Skokomish River? Non-Indians may not understand want to miss Should a fish passage be built over the the cultural significanceof hunting and something dams? What lands will Tacoma purchase fishing sites, of particular types of salmon, because we for wildlife? Will the North Fork be of special plants, of so many things, said don't know restored? What can be done about cultural Busch. and archaeological values lost when the 'The European analysis has it all how to put it dam was built 65 years ago? broken down into fish, wildlife, etc.," he in the right Ultimately, the Federal Energy said. "But when you ask about it, you language for Regulatory Commission (FERC) will issue realize it is just as complex as a city." some judge in the license, but the tribe is an acknowl The difficult thing will be to articu San edged player in the decision. late the Indian values, Busch said. Today, the city and tribe seem miles "We know by talking to the tribes Francisco." apart on the issues — but thafs just the that a lot was lost by them," he said. "We —Russ Busch, nature of negotiations, says Russ Busch, don't want to miss something because we chief negotiator chief negotiator for the tribe. don't know how to put it in the right for the Skokomish "People always look far apart at the language for some judge in San Fran tribe beginning," said Busch, a lawyer with cisco." Evergreen Legal Services in Seattle. According to Busch, the tribe is "Sometimesthere is unrealistic thinking at seeking to increase production of salmon that point, but eventually you have reality in what remains of the North Fork. That checks and say, 'We can get this, but we means increasing flows from the dam and can't get this.'" restoring some segments of stream One of the major differences is what suitable for spawning. is called the "baseline issue." The dam currently is releasing 30 "Our position," said Busch, "is that cubic feet (about 225gallons) per second. Tacoma must provide mitigation and "They have agreed to up to 70," said compensation as if it didn't have the dams Busch,though the tribe is asking for more. there." Restoring the stream may mean Under that theory, all the lost adding logs and other large woody debris resources — fish, wildlife, etc. — would to catch gravel to provide spawning areas be measured and replaced in areas away and to create habitat for insects, which are from the dam site. eaten by the fish. Buteven Buschacknowledges that The tribe also wants to explore FERC has taken a dim view of that archaeological sites that may lie under approach. The agency believes instead water, he said. that relicensing provides an opportunity "We have filed a motion to draw the to improve environmental conditions reservoir down and investigate what is where appropriate. down there," he said. "The tribe isn't What people don't realize, said willing to say, Thafs progress and we Busch,is what the tribe gave up when the don't want to bother anybody.' " dam was built. In the 1920s,land owned by indi 'The North Fork was the productive vidual Indians was condemned to build portion of the Skokomish system, much portions of the dam project, which 28 • Tin: Ecosystem
reduced the size of tribal lands, according Skagit River resulted in a settlement to Busch. announced just last week. "From my point of view the tribe The agreement is expected to cost has been subsidizing nice, inexpensive Seattle's utility $55 million-$60million on power for the city of Tacoma," he said. measures to protect the environment, Garth Jackson, who is handling the including the purchase of 4,000acres of "We recognize relicensing issue for Tacoma, says the land to protect wildlife. In addition, the our current tribe's perspective may be different from utility will forego $40 million-$45 million that of other interests involved in the in lost power revenues to increase stream obligations as relicensing issue, including state agencies. flows to benefit fish. steivards ofthe Severalprojects, including a fish Recreation projects, an education resource." hatchery, boat ramps and parks, have center, landscaping and cultural protec — Garth Jackson, been constructed by Tacoma, he noted. tions are part of the settlement. Tacoma City "We recognize our current obliga Cushman is a much smaller power Light tions as stewards of the resource," he said. project, but officialssay key issues are Similar negotiations between Seattle much the same. City Light and resource groups on the ByChristopher Dunagan
Water is Diverted from Skokomish River to Generate Electric Power
> Lake Cushman: About 4,000 acres of water is held back by Upper Cushman Dam. Power Plant 1 lies at the base of the dam.
> Lake Kokanee: About 150 acres of water held back by lower Cushman Dam.
>* Diversion tunnel: Water from Lake Kokanee is diverted 2 miles to Cushman's lower power plant.
>~ Power plant 2: Located next to Highway 101 near Hood Canal, takes water from Lake Kokanee, then dumps it directly into the Lake canal. South Fork '••' Kokanee 5s- North Fork: Water flowing in Skokomish River this stem of the Skokomish River is just a fraction of historical levels because of the diversion of water Potlatch for power generation. As a con sequence, fish habitat is greatly reduced.
Source: Tacoma City Light Highway 101 Water Resources • 29
Section 2
Jockeying
for the Resource ByChristopher Dunagan
A Quilcene National Fish Hatchery worker pushes young salmon out of a rearing penand into the Big Quilcene River.
Atthe Quilcene National Fish "They look like fancy herring to bigger Hatchery, Larry Telles opened fish," noted Telles, as the littlefish disap the gates of the fish raceway peared into the BigQuilcene River. and said goodbye to 350,000 Successof the hatchery operation is little coho salmon. largely dependent on the amount of water The fingerlings, hatched here flowing in the Big Quilcene Riverand nearby 18months ago, splashed vigorously as they Penny Creek. In a dry year, for example, were pushed unceremoniously toward the more fish at the hatchery will share the same next stage of their lives,a dangerous journey water as it passes through the hatchery, said to the wide open ocean. How many will Telles. The risk of disease becomes greater. survive is anybody's guess. In a sense, these fish also share water 30 • The Ecosystem
with the residents of Port Townsend. The man s purposes. city operates a dam on the BigQuilcene and Similar plans already had been controls the amount of water that flows adopted for the Kitsap Peninsula, Lower downstream to the hatchery. Hood Canal and several other areas through Usually, there is plenty of water for out the state. both hatchery fish and Port Townsend But in talking to state and tribal residents. But habitat for Quilcene's wild fisheries experts, Simmons quickly learned Despite heavy salmon has been reduced, both by blockage of serious concerns about the amount of precipitation, of Penny Creekand by adjustmentsto the water being reserved for fish. BigQuilcene flows. 'They did not feel the water levels despite ever- would be sufficient to support fish habitat," flowing In nature, all things are connected, and nothing connectseverything more closely said Simmons. streams, the than water. In fact, water is so vital to all Her questions continued. Environmen amount of livingcreatures that controlling the flowof tal groups began raising objections to the water is indeed water often means controlling lifeitself. plan. When it came time for a vote, members of the Ecological Commission rejected it limited. And unanimously. people who 1eople have been jockeying for a piece Meanwhile, behind the scenes, water understand of the water resource since before the turn of utilities and other user groups were lobbying this the century. (TheQuilcene Hatchery was the new governor, Booth Gardner, and other indisputable built in 1911.) state officials about their concerns. So far, only an abundance of water in As proposed, the plan would have fact have prevented the largest rivers — Dosewallips, already begun Western Washington has prevented a politicalexplosion,the likesof which could Duckabush and Hamma Hamma — from to engage in a make the spotted owl debate seem like a being used as a source of drinking water. tug-of-war neighborhoodsquabble.Buta day of All the while, Bremerton, Port over its future reckoning lies ahead. Townsend and Kitsap County had their eyes In 1984, Washington residents were on those rivers for future water supplies. use. given a hint of things to come when political "Water supply systems," said Ed Dee, forces tore apart a plan for managing water a member of the legislative staff, "... felt the flows in rivers and streams on the western levelof protection advocated for fisheries side of Hood Canal between the Skokomish resources was too great a price to pay." and Dosewallips rivers. The Ecologyplan suffered a quick All at once, water took on a new death, but the dispute imprinted an image of significancein Western Washington. The possible battles yet to come. If interest Hood Canal issue revealed various political groups could not establishminimum flows powers lining up to do battle, and it eventu while water supplies are abundant, what ally forced them to negotiatea commonpath will happen when population growth out of the political minefield. intensifies the demand for additional water? At the time, Donna Simmons of Even today, the danger remains that Hoodsport had just been appointed to the minimum flows will not be established for WashingtonStateEcological Commission by those important Hood Canal rivers. Gov.John Spellman.Simmons,a former "There were times when I despaired president of Hood Canal Environmental over what I had done," said Simmons. "But Council, began asking some uncomfortable we really needed to go back and look at the questionsabout the water resource plan. whole water resource issue. I've always felt I "Nobody was bringing up any prob did the right thing." lems," she said, "but I was looking at it and something wasn't quite right." Simmons, a soft-spoken woman not Washington State has struggled with used to making loud assertions, found complicated water laws since 1917. As with herself reviewing a plan that would have most Western states, the concept of prior established minimum flows for the most appropriation ("first in time, first in right") pristine rivers in Hood Canal. It was all part has been the governing principal. of the Department of Ecology'seffortto In 1967, the state entered the environ establishlegalwater rights forfishand mental era. Needs of fish and wildlife were wildlife — before all the water was taken for recognized,and the Legislaturegranted the Water Resources • 31
Department of Water Resources (now pilot projects, one in Eastern Washington Department of Ecology)the authority to set and one in Western Washington. The minimum stream flows. projects will bring various groups together to But, if anything, the Legislature has plan the future of specific rivers. added confusion to a difficult subject. In For a time, it looked as if the Hood 1971,lawmakers passed the Water Resources Canal rivers that had so troubled Simmons Act, which offered two guiding principals: when she first joined the EcologicalCommis Water should be used to promote the state's sion were about to be selected for review "Before, we economy, and water should be used to under the program. Planners would have thought only preserve natural systems. faced controversial questions about future about how Steve Shupe, an expert in water law, water supplies for Kitsap and Jefferson was hired in 1988by a legislative committee counties. water could be to sort through Washington's various laws In the end, however, the focus came put to and to outline major issues for new legisla back to the region containing the Big beneficialuse, tion. Quilcene River, the Quilcene Fish Hatchery butnow we State laws clearly recognize a balance and Port Townsend's existing water supply realize that between water use and preservation, Shupe system. concluded. "They apparently fail, however, Jefferson County Commissioner even in areas to provide sufficient guidance for implemen Richard Wojt says he looks forward to the of abundance, tation of this policy." pilot project.What is becoming the funda water is Indian tribes have also become major mental question — whether water should be already players in water issues. In 1982,Federal used by people or saved for fish — will allocated to DistrictJudge William Orrick ruled that generate a good deal of discussion, he treaties not only guaranteed tribes the right predicted. something." to take fish but also to see that fish habitat is Port Townsend's complex water —David Huharty, not continuously destroyed. supply system no doubt will be examined Institute for "Were this (destructive) trend to over the next two years. Unlike Bremerton, Marine Studies at continue, the right to take fish would which operates a single dam on the Union the University of eventually be reduced to the right to dip River in Kitsap County, Port Townsend Washington one's net into the water... and bring it out operates interconnected dams on both the empty," Orrick said. BigQuilcene and Little Quilcene rivers. In Faced with growing conflicts over who addition, a major portion of the water goes to controls water resources, the Legislature last Port Townsend Paper Mill, which helps year called for a cooperative planning operate the system. process involving water users, local govern The city has a legal right to 215gallons ments, tribes and interest groups. per second out of the BigQuilcene. But In late 1990, more than 200 officials met during a period of drought, there is some at Lake Chelan and agreed to a process question whether that much water would be designed to settle differences over water uses available, said Bob Wheeler, director of in Washington state. public works. "It was a sight to behold," declared "Our water right is senior to any Terry Williams, commissioner to the North streamflow rights," said Wheeler, "but if we west Indian Fisheries Commission. "More had a drought, would it be realistic to take than 200 people were there. Legislators, all the water?" mayors, tribal chairmen, fishermen, The Quilcene Fish Hatchery has rights recreationists, environmentalists, farmers, to nearly as much flow as Port Townsend, ranchers and business executives... but the water is not always available. In fact, "These were people who have vastly there are times when flows past the hatchery different uses for water. But by coming drop below a critical level of 38 gallons per together in forging the Chelan Agreement, second. they have recognized that we must work When the rivers gets that dry, hatchery together to protect our precious water officials ask the city to release water out of its resource and all the living things that reservoir, Telles said. depend on it." "We're real dependent on rain as to what the river will do," he said. A hatchery is considered a The Chelan agreement calls for two "nonconsumptive" use because the water is 32 • The Ecosystem
putback in the river. Nevertheless, the distinct Hood Canal stocks. river's flow is decreased for about a quarter Spring chinook from the Skokomish mile as it goes past the hatchery. and Dosewallips rivers may already be The Quilcene River is not known for its extinct,according to the report, and fall natural salmon production because it fallsso chinook from the Dosewallips and steeply out of the mountains. But water Duckabush are at "high risk" of extinction. withdrawals have only made the problem The report, based on available informa "So far, what worse for migrating salmon, which require tion, does not mention Hood Canal coho, we have been extra flows to bypass boulders and other mainly because so little information is obstacles in the river. available on individual coho stocks, said saying to Tradeoffs of one kind or another seem Lichatowich. future to surround every water issue. Hood Canal salmon are managed as generations is "What you see here is the classic one unit, which means coho from the that we don't struggle in water use," said Telles. "One rushing rivers of the Olympic Peninsula are value our answer would be to divert less water to Port lumped together with those from the Townsend." meandering rivers of the Kitsap Peninsula, natural even though the fish are adapted to different resources stream environments. enough to pass 1heBig Quilcene River and Penny A number of Hood Canal's wild them on in any Creek might have produced giant-sized populations could be in danger without condition that salmon before the hatchery was built, but anyone realizing it, said Lichatowich. that was a long time ago, Tellessaid. Mike Reed, a biologist for the Port we can be "Hatcheries themselves are not evil Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, says wild stocks are proud of." things," he said. "We raise probably what uniquely suited to swim up a specificstream —Mike Reed, a the stream would raise in seven miles of while resisting diseases and eating insects of biologist for the perfect spawning habitat — which never that particular stream. Alterations in the Port Gamble existed here." water flow, temperatures and even insect S'Klallam Tribe But biologists worry that hatchery production can affect the salmon run. production, paired with an intense rate of People must be cautious about how commercial and sport fishing, have depleted they affect the water flow, said Reed. That natural runs of wild salmon. goes beyond the issue of dams to logging Native coho from Hood Canal have and even to development. declined to levels so low that biologists are "Hatcheries play a role, but they worried that geneticallydistinct populations cannot replace the natural systems," said (stocks) may not survive. Reed. "Stocks are the basic building blocks," Reed says he can see powerful political said Jim Lichatowich, a biologist with the forces at work, both at the state and local Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and a nationally levels. But whether streams and rivers recognized expert on salmon populations. ultimately survive depends on whether "Whether management of our salmon people care enough to speak out about resource succeeds or fails depends on how resource planning. well these building blocks are maintained." "So far," said Reed, "what we have Lichatowich is a member of the been saying to future generations is that we American Fishery Society's Endangered don't value our natural resources enough to SpeciesCommittee. A recent report by the pass them on in any condition that we can be committee raised alarms about several proud of." Water Resources • 33
Section 3
Protecting the Rivers ByChristopher Dunagan
Plansto generate electricalpower 1 and PUD 3. It was proposed in 1986after from two Hood Canal rivers — the PUD 1 abandoned plans for a much larger Dosewallips and the Hamma dam on the river. Hamma — may have gained new The projects were both given a boost life following completion in 1991 of by the final plan for Olympic National a management plan for Olympic Forest, which suggests special protections for National Forest. the Duckabush River under the Wild and Both proposals are for "run-of-the- Scenic RiversAct.The Duckabush is the only river" projects, built with an inflatable dam, Hood Canal river proposed for nomination or weir, which diverts water through a under the act. power plant only when the river is running Although many people argued that high. During low flows, the weir is deflated both the Dosewallips and Hamma Hamma and has much less impact on the river. would qualify for wild-and-scenic status, The changing power supply situation both would remain available for water in the Northwest is beginning to make small diversion and power production under the hydro projects more attractive, said Kather- forest plan. ine Leone of Tacoma City Light. For the Elkhorn project, said Charles "Right now the region is in a load- Black, another TacomaCity Light employee, resource balance," she said. "What we "the punch line is the ForestServiceplan generate equates to just about what we use." would now designate the Dosewallipsas Even though the need for more power being compatible with this type of power may make the Dosewallips and Hamma project." Hamma projects more feasible, environmen Studies to determine the environmen talists promise that neither will be con tal consequencesof building the Dosewallips structed without a fight. projectare to begin about the end of the year. The Dosewallips project, known as Meanwhile, Mason County PUD 1 and ElkhornHydroelectricProject, was proposed PUD 3 are getting ready to decide whether to in 1982 by Tacoma City Light and Jefferson move ahead with the Hamma Hamma County Public Utility District 1. project, said Pat McGary of the PUD 3 staff. The Hamma Hamma Hydroelectric "It all depends on some decisions to Project isa jointeffortof MasonCounty PUD take place in the next month or two to 34 • The Ecosystem
determine how much we will spend (on the Hydroelectric proposals project) next year," he said. A steering committee will be set up to discuss the alternatives before the issue comes up in a public meeting, he added. Both run-of-the-river projects would work basically the same way. By using an The Elkhorn inflatable weir, the dams can be operated Hydroelectric during late winter and early spring when river flows are high. During other parts of Project and the the year, the weirs would be deflated, Hamma allowing the natural movement of river Hamma gravel downstream. Hydroelectric Rubber weir Fish ladder Diversion pipeline Proponents of run-of-the-river projects Project were argue the environmental problems for fish and wildlife are minimal because the dams given a boost are small and used only at particular times of by an Olympic the year. National Construction would begin with a Forestplan concrete foundation poured in the river bed, from one side to the other. A rubber weir, that seeks zvild something like an inflatable sausage, is and scenic Weir cross section Rubber weir inflated attached tightly to the foundation. protections When the weir is inflated, it impounds only for the water behind the dam. At one end of the Duckabush dam, an intake structure directs the im pounded water through a "trash screen" and River. into a diversion pipe. The power plant is placed at the opposite end of the pipe, as far downstream Source: Jefferson Co.PUD., Tacoma CityLight as feasible. The greater the drop in elevation, the greater the generating capacity. Environmentalists generally concede that run-of-the-river projects are much better than traditional impoundment dams that trap the entire flow of a river. But they can still create problems, especially for fish. "A hydropower facility — on any river — should be constructed only if a real need Dosewallips River for such power exists," said Carol Volkof Olympic Rivers Council. "We are a spoiled, consumptive society. We must first look to methods that conserve the tremendous Hamma power resources we already have." Hamma Several state and federal agencies have River already recommended against the Dosewallips project, largely because it would destroy fish habitat and increase sediment problems, which can kill fish eggs in the streambed. "The project would adversely impact the existing steelhead trout stock and would limit the potential for successful rebuilding of the spring chinook salmon run," wrote Einar Wold of the National Marine Fisheries Service in a letter commenting on the plan. But Tacoma City Light officials argue Water Resources • 35 that they located the project above a series of in Poulsbo, is the only outfitter licensed to waterfalls, which forms a natural barrier to run the Dosewallips River. While the fish. In a fishpopulation survey, only two proposed hydro project would not affect his steelhead reached the site one year. river-rafting operation, which is downstream In a separate letter regarding the from the proposed dam site, he says it would Hamma Hamma project, Wold said the river be a crime to put any type of manmade supports important runs of chinook, coho, structure on the Dosewallips. pink and chum salmon, as well as summer The dam would be built in a deep "A hydro- and winter steelhead and rainbow trout. canyon, one of the most remote and pristine powerfacility He noted that two alternatives have spots along the beautiful river, he said. been proposed for the Hamma Hamma. "I don't see the reasons they want to — on any river "However," he added, "we should put this structure up there and change the — should be state at the outset that NMFS would not habitat and environment for the small constructed support a license... under either configura amount of energy they will get," he said. only if a real tion because of the project's potential "If we allow this dam to go in there, needfor such adverse impacts to anadromous fish re there will be nothing to keep from putting powerexists. sources." one on the Hamma Hamma." John Kuntz, owner of Olympic Kayak Wemustfirst look to methods that Wild and Scenic Designation conserve the tremendous Topreserve a river forever,to keep it ScenicAct specifies, and those are all flowing in its natural state for excellent candidates and truly deserving," power generations to come, involves a he said. "From scenery to wildlife to resources we momentous decision reserved for the U.S. geology to recreation, all those rivers are alreadyhave." Congress or state Legislature. truly extraordinary." —Carol Volk, In Hood Canal, the Forest Service Cantrell says his group is preparing Olympic Rivers studied the Olympic Peninsula rivers for a petition for congressional consideration Council inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic later this summer that would protect a RiversSystem. The agency declared that number of Olympic Rivers in their natural four rivers — Dosewallips,Duckabush, state. Hamma Hamma and South Fork of the Among Washington's delegation to Skokomish — all have unique qualities Congress, Reps. John Miller, R-Seattle, that would make them suitable for special and Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, seem designation. particularly interested in pushing special But,in the ForestServiceview, only rivers legislation, according to Cantrell. the Duckabush has enough "outstand "The imperiled status of many of the ingly remarkable" values to be named a major fish runs has helped focus attention wild and scenic river. on the need for river protections," he The Dosewallipscame in nearly as added. high in the ForestServiceanalysis. And it For every river attaining Wild and might have been nominated had the Scenicstatus, federal agencies must agency chosen to name more than one develop a management plan outlining Hood Canal river. what changes will be allowed and what Shawn Cantrell ofthe Northwest will be precluded in and along the river. RiversCouncil says all four rivers should Jean Phillips of the Wild Rivers have been proposed to Congress,as well Conservancy,a group generally opposed as the upper portion of the BigQuilcene to designating wild and scenic rivers, says River. (TheForest Service found the Big she sees no need for special status since Quilceneto have generally "average" two-thirds of most Olympic rivers pass conditions not even suitable for consider through federal land. Congress should ation.) not cut off its future options, she added. The first four rivers should certainly "Personally, I think we're going to be set aside for protection, said Cantrell. need electricity," she said. T am not in "You look at what the Wild and favor of nuclear power, and coal produces 36 • The Ecosystem
dust and dirt in the air. The one thing the Vern and Ida Bailey have lived Northwest has is plenty of water, espe along the Dosewallips River for 50 years. cially in the winter." In 1941, at the age of 19,the Baileys As she talked, Phillips led the way bought 80acres of river bottomland for a outside her house, which lies a quarter- mere $700, and later increased their mile uphill from the Duckabush River. holdings to 250acres. Until a few years Her colorfulgarden, which offersa high- ago, they raised 50 head of cattle. level view ofHood Canal, Bailey,with his long contains non-native white sideburns and azaleas and rhododen Dosewallips black-framed glasses, talks drons. softly and with an obvious Phillips worries that knowledge of conserva Wild and Scenic River tion techniques. Though legislationwould forceher he appears to be a good to grow only plants that caretaker ofhis waterfront are native to the region. property, Baileyhas Cantrell argues that serious concerns about Phillips' fears, and those federal protection for the of other private property Dosewallips. owners, are groundless. "When we first The legislationwould heard it was being affect private property considered," he said, "we only if the federal govern were really thrilled ment wishes to purchase a The Dosewallips because we thought it conservation easement would stop development. from property owners, he River, which begins But when you get the law said. high in the and read the fine print — 'They can continue Olympics and having worked for the to use the land as it has flows into Hood government, I know about fine print — they could been used in the past," he Canal, has been said, "and they can pass take a half mile on either the property on to their declared suitable side and it would wipe us children or sell it." for "wild and out." scenic" designation. Water Resources • 37
Even/ home built in the Hood Canal -watershed places a newburden on theregion's water supply.
1 4mm m mm e're in stuff now that's Robinson& Noble,stood nearby observing. M M A F silt-bound!" shouted Numerous times over the past month of I ™ M #M I Joel Purdy over the drilling, Purdy had halted the operation and Section 4 • # ^kf deafening pulsation of gathered soil samples brought up out of the Wt Wt metal slamming deepening hole. Now, at 370 feet, progress W W against metal. was slow. Growth Inch by inch, the 12-inchpipe slipped slowly This exploratory well was commis Makes New into the ground under the rhythmic pound sioned by Kitsap County Public Utility ing of the drilling rig. Just a week earlier, the District. The district has been searching for Demands same well casing had slid down easily, like a new pocketsof groundwater in hopes of ByChristopher hot knife through butter. easing the county's coining water shortage, Dunagan "Clang...clang...clang..." The noise perhaps 30 years away. echoed in the hills overlooking Hood Canal Over the past 40 years, surface water near Seabeck as operator Todd Michelsen of diverted from the Hood Canal region has Charon Drilling gripped the controls. supplied a major portion of Kitsap County's Purdy, a hydrogeologist for the firm population. Even today, about a third of the 38 • The Ecosystem residents get their water from Bremerton's Cities generally pipe their water. In its Casad Dam on the Union River, which feeds early years, for example, Bremerton chose to the southern tip of Hood Canal. transport water from Gorst, 3 miles away; But the shift to groundwater supplies then later from Twin Lakes, 2.5 miles farther has been rapid over the past decade or so as out; then later still from McKenna Falls and rural Kitsap's growth has exploded. Now, Casad Dam, another 2 miles beyond. experts hope to discover a vast, but still Port Townsend gets its water from the Surface water uncertain, water source that may lie hidden Quilcene River, about 28 miles away. diverted from underground along Hood Canal's shores. David Fluharty of the Institute for "With what we've gone through so far, Marine Studies at the University of Washing the Hood it looks promising," said Purdy of the new ton says the old way may still be the best. Canal region well, already deeper than a water-bearing "It makes sense from a growth- has supplied a zone discovered 318feet below ground. At management standpoint to keep people in a major portion that point, driving the well casingbecame central area, where it is easier to provide of Kitsap easy for 33 feet before it struck a more solid needed services, than to disperse the people formation — a dense mixture of silt, sand and build multiple small water systems," he County's and gravel. said. population. Underground pockets of clean,loose Concentrating populations also About a third gravel, unencumbered by clay or silt, may decreases the "footprint of development," of the residents not seem like much of anything. But to said Fluharty. get theirwater Purdy and his boss CliffHanson, these Under state law, all three Hood Canal gravel formations raise expectationsof counties are planning for future growth. But from finding fresh, clear water. due to its large population, its rapid growth Bremerton's "Sand and gravel are like a big as well as its limited surface supply, Kitsap Casad Dam on sponge," said Purdy. "Precipitation is County may run dry before either Mason or the Union soaked right up." Jefferson. River, which Most of Kitsap County's soils were laid Before Kitsap as a whole suffers a down by glaciers during Puget Sound's ice water shortage, regional shortages are likely feeds the age more than 14,000 years ago. to develop, according to David Siburg, southerntip of "You may think of glaciers as being manager of Kitsap County Public Utility Hood Canal. pristine," said Hanson, "but actually they're District. Island Lake in Central Kitsap and awfully dirty animals. They carry an abun parts of Bainbridge Island have been identi dance of sand and all kinds of materials." fied already as potential problem areas. As the glaciers melted into water, they Siburg speaks fluently the language of dropped their loads of silt,sand and gravel growth management, but a number of water onto the Kitsap Peninsula. Sometimes the issues seem to trouble him. Urban centers, as mixed stuff was packed so tightly together defined by Kitsap County, may not have — siltbound — that it could never absorb adequate water supplies for their projected much water. Drill bits and well casings make populations, he said. littleprogress through such material. "We have to make some tough choices But in other places the melt water as a county," said Siburg. "Water may have picked up speed and washed away the silt, to be captured from areas where it is avail leaving a glacialdeposit in which water can able and brought to areas of development." flow easily through the spaces between sand This idea, certainly not new, might and gravel particles. mean a massive public works project, such After burial by successiveglaciers,the as piping water from the Olympic Peninsula. formation became an underground stream to As an alternative, it might mean developing be tapped by advanced technology. a series of public wells in undeveloped forest For well drillers today, finding a water lands, such as those near Hood Canal in the bearing zone in all this mess is a big gamble, southwest part of Kitsap County. said Hanson. "That's the joy and consterna Either alternative would not be tion of working in glacial terrains." without its effects on the natural environ ment.
A basic choice for the Hood Canal region is whether to build new homes close Determining how much water is to water supplies or to pipe water to popula actually out there in underground forma tion centers, wherever they may be. tions is the reason Purdy and Michelsen Water Resources • 39
Where the rains fall: How the canal fits in 90 Gfi Strait of Juan de Fuca
A basic choice for theHood Canal region is whether to build new homes close to water supplies or to pipe water to population centers, wherever they may be.
Rainfall soaking into the ground in the Hood Canal watershed replenishes the underground rivers that feed area wells.
Source: National Weather Service
have been drilling near Seabeck. The newest The state Department of Ecology is well is the second to be drilled in that area by beginning to pay attention to this complex the PUD. issue, said Siburg. In fact, in Clark County, A large well nearby, developed by the the department refused to approve a well University of Washington for its Big Beef that might have reduced the flow of a nearby Research Station, proved to be a big pro stream by just half of 1percent, he said. ducer, said Purdy. That suggests a major As Kitsap, Mason and Jefferson water-bearing formation underground. counties develop growth management The water-bearing formation has been strategies, they will be required to identify given the name "Big Beef Aquifer." It is just and protect important aquifer recharge one of several possible sources of groundwa areas, to maintain adequate groundwater ter in that region, said Siburg. supplies and to maintain a natural balance in "Estimates are, on gross magnitude, the system. there may be enough water in Kitsap County Development of roads and houses tilts to support growth until the year 2020," he the water balance toward surface flow by said. "The trick comes in being able to covering up bare land, which can recharge capture that water — groundwater — the underground streams. Furthermore, without affecting streams or other wells." hard surfaces — roofs and driveways — Hydraulic continuity — the hottest speed up the surface water flow, pushing the word in the parlance of water management water off the face of the land and into sea — describes the much-misunderstood water. relationship between surface water and In addition to growth management, groundwater. Kitsap County has been studying groundwa When surface water flows into the ter management for several years under the ground, which it does continuously, it is direction of Siburg and the PUD. known as aquifer recharge. When ground Conservation is one way of increasing water escapes in a spring at the surface, it's water supplies, said Siburg, and it will no discharge. The geology can be incredibly doubt become increasingly important in the complex, but wells can and do affect streams, Hood Canal region. and vice versa. If people can learn to be careful about 40 • The Ecosystem watering their lawns and use low-flow One of his biggest fears is that the fixtures, it can extend the life of water Hood Canal region in southwest Kitsap systems for years.Watersystemsthemselves County willbe developed beforeanybody can save water by repairing leaks in their knows the value of the groundwater re transmission lines. source, he said. But with so little agricultural irrigation "That may be a tremendous recharge in the area, huge water savingsmay be out area," he said. "It would be nice to define the of reach, said Siburg. resource before we make substantial changes The Kitsap County Groundwater to that area. You don't want to close the barn Management Plan, which willoutlinethe door after the horses get out." future options, should be completed in about Water is the lifeblood of the Hood six months, he said. Canal region and Puget Sound as a whole. "Some people would say 'stop every The management of this priceless resource thing;closethe door until we understand all — both above ground and below — will of this,' " said Siburg. "But we can't stand determine the survival of fish and wildlife, still. We are charged by law with the respon as well as the quality of human lifestyles, for sibility to get the water to the people." years to come. Water Resources • 41
Section 5
Preserving Water Quality ByChristopher Dunagan
Despitetheseemingly endless supply ofwater in thePacific North-west, population pressures and pollutionare causing newconcerns about quality drinking water.
Whilemost water systems in Port Townsend, for example, is the Hood Canal region face considering the prospect of building a $10 questions about future million filtration plant to make sure its water supplies, many also surface supply from the BigQuilcene and are dealing with immediate LittleQuilcene rivers remains of high concerns related to federal quality. drinking water standards. To avoid filtration, surface waters must 42 • The Ecosystem meet stringent federal standards, including turbidity to a minimum. Duffy plans to hire extremely low levels of bacteria, turbidity special staff to keep their eyes on water and chemicals, as measured by a host of quality issues. expensive tests. Casad Dam supplies more than half of "Frankly, in Port Townsend's case, we the 8 million-10 million gallons a day used have some real concerns about whether we by the city and outlying areas. Of that can meet all the criteria," said Public Works amount, about a third goes to Navy opera "So far, what Director Bob Wheeler. tions at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. we're saying to Rivers flowing out of Just 20 years ago, Casad Dam — along with an older future the Olympic Mountains are Quilcene among the purest in the state, River facilityin Gorst — was able generations is but logging in the upper to supply virtually all of the thatwe don't reaches and development in city's water. The dam can value our the lower areas may suspend hold 1.35billion gallons. The Gorst facility was natural dirt particles in a stream. Most of the Quilcene taken off-line due to water resources watershed is on undeveloped quality problems. But Duffy enough to pass land managed by the U.S. said the facility may be them on in any Forest Service, which has activated again, possibly for condition that been attempting to maintain irrigating Bremerton's Gold Mountain Golf Course, we can be the lowest impact to water quality, officialssay. But the which uses 50 million gallons proud of." federal standards are tough. of water a year. Eventually, a — Mike Reed, It might be best to small filtration plant at Gorst Port Gamble move ahead with the expen would bring 3 million gallons S'Klallam tribe sive filtration plant instead of Waters of the a day back into the city's gambling that the water Quilcene River water system. supply won't be shut down "We feel pretty com on short notice, said Wheeler. system have been fortable that over the next 10 Of the 15 million dammed to provide years we will be OK in terms gallons of water coming out water supplyfor of water supply," said Duffy. of Port Townsend's reser the City ofPort "It's a resource we took for voirs, 80-90 percent goes to granted in the last decade, the Port Townsend Paper Townsend, 28 and it will be a much bigger Mill, which doesn't need miles to the north. issue in the next decade." filtered water for its indus The city intends to hire trial operations. a consultant to update its comprehensive The city's options include building a water plan over the next six months under a new water main from the Quilcene water $160,000 contract. shed or else locating the filtration plant Bigsystems have their unique prob closer to town to get by with a shorter lems, but federal requirements are costing pipeline. small water systems more and more money, Bremerton also facesthe prospect of too, said Jerry Deeter, water quality specialist filtration, but has the advantage of owning with the Bremerton-Kitsap County Health almost all the Union River watershed above Department. McKennaFalls. City officials intend to buy Some of the smaller systems, operated the remaining 160acres to keep the entire by part-time managers, are having trouble area natural and free from human activities. with maintenance and operations, which (The watershed contains an elaborate alarm sometimes leads to health concerns, he said. system to help keep out trespassers.) Some managers fail to do all the testing BillDuffy, director of Bremerton required by the new regulations. utilities, hopes that these actions, plus a "As more and more testing comes on, continuing battery of water tests,will cost for the testing is going to get really prevent the cityfrombeingforced to build a high," said Deeter."Systemswith more than $10-$15 million filtration plant. 15 customers have to do monthly bacterio Thecityhas alteredits managementof logical testing." Casad Dam on the Union River to keep A wide spectrum of chemical tests is Water Resources • 43 also required, depending on the size of the developers have chosen to create two or system. more smallsystems,as opposed to putting in The county is attempting to coordinate a larger system, said Deeter. small water systems by requiring uniform "SinceApril 4 of last year, we've done design standards for expansions.Systems approximately 91 new public supplies," he may be eventually tied together to help said. "Normally in a full year we do an transport water from areas of plentiful average of about 50." supply to areas of short supply. In 1991, nearly 1,000 water systems It would be beneficialto expand now exist in Kitsap County, compared to 450 medium and large systems,as opposed to in 1978. increasingthe number of small systems, said The number of small, individual Deeter. Butthe opposite may be happening. systems may set up a competition for Large- and medium-sized systems existing water and create problems in who must obtain water rights in advance, a owns the rights to the water. process that now takes up to three years, he "I think groundwater is going to noted. The Department of Ecology, which become a real important issue," said Deeter. processes the applications,simply can't keep "More people are concerned about it than up with the growth. ever before because of the growth we are "We haven't seen a lot of the larger experiencing." systems going in," said Deeter. One challenge will be to coordinate all On the other hand, small systems with the big and littlesystems as groundwater in sixor fewercustomerscan avoid the delay the county grows scarce. through assumed water rights. Some