Since 1910, water from Salmon Creek has been stored in Conconully Reservoir, which is delivered to agricultural fields within the Okanogan Irrigation District, via ~ 12 miles of Salmon Creek.  In addition,  the North Fork of Salmon Creek is diverted into Salmon Lake, an off-channel storage reservoir, via a feeder canal.  Water is then released from Salmon Lake to augment storage of Conconully Reservoir.   Both reservoirs are near the town of Conconully, about 17 miles northwest of Okanogan. Two pumping plants supplement the water supply during water-short years.  Shell Rock Pump Station lifts water from the Okanogan River, and Duck Lake Pumping Plant withdraws water from Duck Lake.

Salmon Creek, a tributary to the Okanogan River, is considered to be one of the most significant opportunities to restore summer steelhead in the Okanogan Basin.  This project reconnects the Okanogan River with approximately 11 miles of habitat conducive for spawning and rearing of summer steelhead.  During controlled water releases in 2003, approximately 25 cfs was required for fish migration downstream of the diversion dam.  During 2008 a "low-flow" channel was constructed downstream of the diversion dam which provided suitable fish passage conditions at approximately 10 cfs.  The low flow channel extended the duration of water available through a 12-year water lease program.  During 2011, uncontrolled spill exceeded 500 cfs resulting in an undistinguishable low flow channel.  The low flow channel was re-established after the irrigation season of 2012.  This included re-shaping the outlet of Salmon Creek as well as fortifying the stream bank in two reaches, one of which where a structure was in jeopardy of falling into the channel.  

this objective of this project is to return perennial flow to Salmon Creek.  At a minimum, 3,600 ac-ft is required to meet adequate conditions for the life history for summer steelhead.  One component, the development of a diversion dam on the N. F. Salmon Creek, will result in half (1,800 ac-ft.) of the required amount of water needed for perennial flow in Salmon Creek.  Currently, this project is financially and technically supporting the development of the aforementioned diversion dam which will result in an increase of 3,400 ac-ft in stored water.  In an MOU with the Okanogan Irrigation District 1,800 ac-ft of the increased stored water will be dedicated to instream flow.  

Interest to continue the water lease has been expressed by board members of the Okanogan Irrigation District.  

In addition to irrigation upgrades and water leases, there is an opportunity to improve stream bed and bank conditions in the middle reach of Salmon Creek.  As well as improving stream bed and bank conditions, best management practices such as install exclusionary fence along the riparian zone to reduce negative impacts by livestock may also be incorporated.  Concepts are proposed to be presented to landowners within this reach as to a follow-up from a site visit in 2015.