Water Quality Management Plan

​​​Wells Hydroelectric Project FERC License No. 2149WQMP.jpg

The goal of the Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) is to protect the quality of the Columbia, Methow and Okanogan rivers that come in contact with the Wells Hydroelectric Project (Wells Project). The quantitative measures of success are measured with regard to the numeric criteria as administrated by the Washington Department of Ecology and found in the Washington State Water Quality Standards, Chapter 173-201A WAC. Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County (Douglas PUD), in collaboration with the Aquatic Settlement Work Group (Aquatic SWG), has agreed to implement reasonable and feasible measures in support of the WQMP. Actions include providing real-time temperature data at boundary locations around the Wells Project (link to map of project temperature monitoring sites), monitoring total dissolved gas (TDG) (link to map of TDG stations throughout project and tailrace including RRH) during fish bypass and non-bypass periods, and providing this data to the public.

The measures presented within the WQMP are designed to meet the following objectives:

  • Maintain compliance with state WQS for TDG.  If non-compliance is observed, the Aquatic SWG will identify reasonable and feasible measures, which will be implemented by Douglas PUD
  • Maintain compliance with state WQS for water temperature.  If information becomes available that suggests non-compliance is occurring or likely to occur, the Aquatic SWG will identify reasonable and feasible measures, which will be implemented by Douglas PUD
  • Maintain compliance with state WQS for other numeric criteria.  If information becomes available that suggests non-compliance is occurring or likely to occur, the Aquatic SWG will identify reasonable and feasible measures, which will be implemented by Douglas PUD
  • Operate the Project in a manner that will avoid, or where not feasible to avoid, minimize, spill of hazardous materials and implement effective countermeasures in the event of a hazardous materials spill
  • Participate in regional forums tasked with improving water quality conditions and protecting designated uses in the Columbia River basin.

Water Quality Management Plan