Summer Stream Flows
Some seasonal variation is normal, but exceptionally low flows exacerbated by development that draws water away from streams in the summer can cause problems for salmon and people. This Vital Sign helps us track the effects of climate change and variability on flows and whether or not management actions intended to reduce withdrawals and increase recharge in developed areas are working to restore summer flows.
| VITAL SIGN INDICATOR | PROGRESS | STATUS |
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| VITAL SIGN INDICATOR | PROGRESS | STATUS |
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Key Messages
- During 2016, of the 29 stations measured, 16 had stable or increasing summer low flows while 13 had decreasing flows.
Strategies, Actions, and Effectiveness
- Development of an Implementation Strategy to define recovery priorities for Summer Stream Flows is a priority focus area for the Partnership's 2018 Action Agenda.
- Actions proposed in the Action Agenda that advance this Vital Sign (let us know if we missed any!):
- Simulate Summer Streamflows in Response to Groundwater Pumping and Climatic Effects
- Regional In-stream Flow Coordination for Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Planning
- San Juan County Select Watersheds Instream Flow study
- Technical Leadership for Developing an Implementation Strategy for Summer Stream Flows
- What's working to restore Puget Sound? Answers from effectiveness evaluations