Part 1 of project: Irrigation Upgrades. TU is protecting and restoring Ninemile Creek by working with the landonwers on a comprehensive instream flow restoration project, involving a permanent irrigation water-right purchase, point-of-diversion change with irrigation system upgrade and streambank habitat restoration. In early 2012, TU, in cooperation with the landowner and WDFW, secured all surface water flows from the historic surface diversion, adding over 2 cfs back instream to effectively re-create a natural hydrograph for the sub-basin. The agreement not-to-divert from surface water, irrigation upgrades and fencing installation were completed in 2012. TU will continue to enhance this project with complementary actions, such as updating the stream crossings, in 2013. Ninemile Creek is unique as it is the northernmost critical anadromous tributary in the Okanogan sub-basin, located upriver of Zosel Dam, just south of the US-Canadian border, and is a tributary to Lake Osoyoos and the Okanogan River. Historically, the main ecological concern in Ninemile Creek has been limited instream flow. Ninemile Creek is naturally flow limited and the landowner's uppermost surface diversion exasperated the problem by annually withdrawing nearly all surface flow beginning in April. This project is important because it offers restoration of this unique tributary, where land and water projects have already been completed, benefitting ESA listed steelhead and salmon.