The Washington State Department of Ecology has established minimum instream flows for the Skagit River. These minimum flow levels fluctuate throughout the year and are designed to primarily protect fish habitat.
Although every year is different, there are generally two times a year when we anticipate the Skagit River falling below instream flow levels—once in late winter/early spring and again in late summer/fall.
When the river falls below these prescribed levels, Skagit PUD and the City of Anacortes are required to provide public notification in accordance with a long-term water rights agreement signed in 1996.