The project was initially conceived as a conventional well field and pipeline, delivering groundwater from the Upper Snoqualmie valley to the regional supply system. An exploration program was then undertaken to further evaluate the hydrogeology of the watershed, and a joint water right application was filed by the East King County Regional Water Association (EKCRWA) and Seattle Water Department (now Seattle Public Utilities) to withdraw 60 million gallons per day (MGD) from the Upper Snoqualmie basin.
Subsequent test well drilling encountered a highly productive deep aquifer with excellent water quality. Groundwater modeling was then conducted which suggested that yields of up to 40 MGD could be withdrawn from the aquifer system.
In response to environemental concerns and regulatory instream flow limitations, the conceptual design for project was reconfigured as a conjunctive use project that utilizes both surface water from the Snoqualmie River and pumped groundwater from the Snoqualmie Aquifer. This configuration is intended to allow the project to operate during periods of instream flow limitations and to provide flow enhancement to the Snoqualmie River below Snoqualmie Falls |
- 1992-1996 Conventional Groundwater Supply
- Feasibiltiy Study
- Exploration and Analysis
- 1997/1998 Endangered Species Act
- Respond to Environmental Concerns
- 1998-2002: Mitigation Concept-Conjunctive Use
- Surface Supply
- Groundwater Augmentation
- 2003-2005: Develop Pilot Program
- Outreach
- Partnerships
- Funding
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