The Economic Development Council of Lewis County is evaluating the city of Winlock’s water rights to accommodate future growth.
During a review conducted by the Pacific Groundwater Group, it was discovered the city may have water rights currently not recognized by the state Department of Ecology, said Lewis Economic Development Council Executive Director Matt Matayoshi.
According to the report from Pacific Groundwater Group, the city has claims to water that predate 1945, which is when the groundwater code was enacted.
“They need future water availability and the ability to pump water out of the ground,” Matayoshi said. “Water rights are hard to come by.”
The city also has the ability to draw water from both the Cowlitz River and Olequa Creek. The city may be able to draw more water from the Cowlitz River, but it is unlikely it will be able to draw more from Olequa Creek due to in stream flow requirements.
Currently, the city has enough water for the equivalent of 659 residential units. However, most businesses use more than what is estimated for each residential unit. The EDC is helping the city with the evaluation to encourage the development of an industrial area.
The EDC and the group will narrow down some options for Winlock’s City Council to decide on. Matayoshi expects the recommendations to be made by the end of the year.
