Washington Water Trust

Washington Water Trust is a nonregulatory, 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving and protecting stream flows and water quality throughout Washington state. We use voluntary, market-based transactions and cooperative partnerships to create balanced solutions. So fish, agriculture, business and wildlife—upon which we all depend--can thrive.

We lease and buy water from water rights holder, temporarily or permanently to leave instream, to improve and protect flows, especially during periods that are critical to the survival of imperiled salmon and steelhead. At the right time, at the right place, even just a small amount of water left instream can have an immensely positive impact.

Washington Water Trust also works to develop innovative solutions with water rights holders who are looking for a more cost-effective ways to use their water. A range of best practices exist--from more efficient irrigation methods and technologies, to more profitable crop cycles and selections, to more effective diversions, source switching from surface to groundwater, water banking and natural storage solutions.

Drawing from an extensive network of partnerships with agricultural producers, conservation districts, irrigation districts, land trust, landowners, legal experts, state agencies, tribes and other stakeholders, Washington Water Trust is able to bring to the table balanced, mutually beneficial ideas that are proven to work.

Our expertise runs deep and wide, encompassing such areas as restoration strategy development, stream flow restoration and water rights analysis, water transaction advisement, outreach and negotiation engagement, instream flow protection, and flow habitat monitoring.

Our experience with land use, hydrology, water law and policy, project evaluation and economic valuation—and in cooperative conservation efforts and stakeholder dialogue--means we can create plans, policies and management strategies that benefit not only watersheds, but also water rights holders.

RESTORATION/CONSERVATION

• Water right leases, sales, donations to the Trust Water Rights Program
• Drought-year leasing programs
• Point of diversion changes
• Surface to groundwater changes
• Diversion reduction agreements
• Irrigation efficiencies
• Reverse water right auctions
• Conveyance system efficiencies
• Water banking facilitation and mitigation strategies
• Natural system storage

CONSULTATION/FACILITATION

• Designing water right management alternatives
• Engaging and convening
• Leveraging funds for project that benefit stream flow
• Facilitating public and private involvement
• Providing education, outreach and support
• Facilitating water use changes