Higher than Average River Flows Cause Excessive Muddy Run Off in Columbia River

The Columbia River is noticeably muddy and the Chelan PUD is citing a higher seasonal water flow as the potential root of the muddiness run off. The Wenatchee River peaked at 18,000 cubic feet per second at the Monitor station on November 16 and the seasonal water flow is typically 1,600 cubic feet this time of year.

"We're getting a lot more water flow in our tributary rivers that flow into the Columbia River," said Rachel Hansen, senior communications strategist. "That may explain the extra muddiness that you see in the Columbia right now and all the other side streams had that same bump with all of the rain and precipitation that we had."

The Wenatchee River was around 10,000 cubic feet per second on November 13 and then peaked on November 16 at 18,000 cubic feet due to the rain.