Water Quality

To better manage water resources in the Chehalis Basin, it is important to understand the water quality in the Chehalis River and its tributaries. From 2006-2009, Partnership members worked toward monitoring water quality throughout the Chehalis, with the support of a grant from the Department of Ecology. These and other water quality studies in the Chehalis Basin (links below) have shown that many parts of the Chehalis River have high temperatures and low oxygen in the summer.  Both of these conditions are harmful to aquatic life living in the river and its tributaries.  Today, the Chehalis Tribe is monitoring water quality in some streams and the mainstem Chehalis River using “grab samples.” The Department of Ecology currently maintains continuous water quality measurement equipment in some locations in the upper watershed (links below).

The Partnership’s goal for water quality is to prevent degradation and improve water quality so as to have clean water for all fish, wildlife, and human uses.  It will take the combined effort of people living in the whole watershed to keep the water clean.

The quality of our region’s waters are closely linked to how much water is available in streams.  Thus, but helping to address water quantity concerns, we are also working to improve water quality.