IFS: 2060 – Waimea, Kaua‘i

Instream Flow Standard: Hydrologic Unit of Waimea (2060)

Instream Flow Standard

The Commission on Water Resource Management has amended the interim instream flow standards for the Waimea River surface water hydrologic unit, West Kaua‘i.  The current status of interim instream flow standards are in Phase One under the Mediation Agreement for the Waimea Watershed Area.

CFS
MGD
Location / Notes
Natural flow Natural flow Koke‘e Stream, below the Koke‘e diversion to Koke‘e Ditch.
1.08 0.7 Kauaikinana Stream, below the Kauaikinana diversion to Koke‘e Ditch.
7.58 4.9 Kawaikōī Stream, below the Kawaikōī diversion to Koke‘e Ditch.
2.17 1.4 Waiakoali Stream, below the Waiakoali diversion to Koke‘e Ditch.
3.09 2.0 Koaie Stream, below the Koaie diversion to Kekaha Ditch
12.38 8.0 Waiahulu Stream, below the Waiahulu diversion to Kekaha Ditch.
38.68 25.0 Waimea River at USGS gaging station 16031000, with a minimum flow at all times through the Kekaha Ditch of 6.0 mgd measured at the Hukipō Flume.

Gaging

Information Updates

Date
Action
Sep. 20, 2022

Commission staff and mediation parties presented an update on the implementation of the mediation agreement.

  • Commission Meeting Agenda
  • Briefing C2: Update on the Mediation Agreement for the Waimea Watershed Area, dated and signed April 18, 2017 (re: Pō‘ai Wai Ola/West Kaua‘i Watershed Alliance’s Combined Petition to Amend the Interim Instream Flow Standards for Waimea River and its Headwaters and Tributaries, and the Complaint and Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste, for Waimea, Island of Kaua‘i, State of Hawai‘i)
  • Commission Meeting Minutes
Jun. 23, 2021

The Commission on Water Resource Management hosted a Community Presentation on USGS Stream Gaging, Waimea, Kauai, featuring the USGS’ Pacific Islands Water Science Center’s Acting Assistant Director for Hydrologic Data, Madison May.
Nov. 2020

Commission staff and mediation parties presented an update on the implementation of the mediation agreement.

  • Commission Meeting Agenda
  • Briefing C1: Update on the Mediation Agreement for the Waimea Watershed Area, dated and signed April 18, 2017 (re: Pō‘ai Wai Ola/West Kaua‘i Watershed Alliance’s Combined Petition to Amend the Interim Instream Flow Standards for Waimea River and its Headwaters and Tributaries, and the Complaint and Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste, for Waimea, Island of Kaua‘i, State of Hawai‘i)
  • Commission Meeting Minutes
Mar. 2020

Commission staff prepared a Fact Sheet on the Waimea Watershed Agreement.
Apr. 18, 2017

The Commission on Water Resource Management approved a mediated settlement today that will immediately restore continuous flows in the Waimea River, as well as provide the opportunity for a renewable energy project, water for Hawaiian homesteading, and farming.
Jan. 17, 2017

The Commission was provided an update on the Mediation for the Complaint and Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste Filed by Poʻai Wai Ola and West Kauaʻi Watershed Alliance (through Earthjustice)
Dec. 5, 2016

The Division of Aquatic Resources, in collaboration with Parham & Associates Environmental Consulting, LLC, completed a Project Report for Waimea River.
Sep. 21, 2016

The Commission was provided an update on the Mediation for the Complaint and Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste Filed by Poʻai Wai Ola and West Kauaʻi Watershed Alliance (through Earthjustice).
Oct. 2016

Report prepared by Element Environmental, LLC for the Commission on the Investigation of Kōke‘e and Kekaha Ditch Irrigation Systems, Waimea, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i.
Aug. 2016

Commission staff prepared a draft Instream Flow Standard Assessment Report for Waimea.  The report was completed in 2016 but was not made available to the public or parties at the time due to mediation efforts.  The report was posted here in October 2021.
Feb. 16, 2016

The Commission approved the Terms of Reference for Mediation of the Complaint and Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste Filed by Po’ai Wai Ola and West Kaua’i Watershed Alliance (through Earthjustice).
Dec. 16, 2015

The Commission authorizes the Chairperson to Hire a Mediator for the Complaint and Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste Filed by Po’ai Wai Ola and West Kaua’i Watershed Alliance (through Earthjustice).
Oct. 21, 2015

Video Album of the Limited Meeting of the Commission on Water Resource Management, Sites #10 to #14.
Oct. 20, 2015

Video Album of the Limited Meeting of the Commission on Water Resource Management, Sites #1 to #8.
May 11, 2015

The Commission requested information from Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) and Kekaha Agricultural Association (KAA) regarding and related to water use from the Kokee and Kekaha Ditch Irrigation Systems.
Apr. 29, 2015

The Commission had briefings by the Kekaha Agriculture Association (KAA) and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC).
Apr. 28, 2015

The Commission held a limited meeting to conduct a site visit of the Kokee and Kekaha Ditch Irrigation Systems.

 Video Album of:

  • Commission Meeting at the Waimea Neighbohrood Center
  • Limited Meeting Sites #1 to #7
  • Limited Meeting Site #8, Public Testimony at Waimea Neighborhood Center.
Feb. 18, 2015

Presentation on Measurement of Ditch Flow Diversion and Water Loss/Distribution in Kekaha and Kokee Systems, by Steve Spengler, Element Environmental.
Aug. 21, 2013

Staff Submittal to the Commission: Delegation of Authority to the Chairperson to Appoint an Investigator, Po‘ai Wai Ola and West Kaua‘i Watershed Alliance (through Earthjustice) 1) Complaint for Dispute Resolution; 2) Petition to Amend Interim Instream Flow Standard; and 3) Complaint for Declaratory Order Against Waste in Waimea River and its Tributaries, Waimea, Kauai.
 Jul. 24, 2013

Po’ai Wai Ola and West Kaua’i Alliance, through their attorneys Earthjustice, filed: 1) a Complaint for Dispute Resolution: 2) a Petition to Amend Interim Instream Flow Standard; and 3) a Petition for Declaratory Order Against Waste.