Normative flow studies

Project goals and objectives

In order to promote salmon conservation and ecosystem integrity within King County, the Normative Flow Studies project sought to develop and employ Normative Flow concepts to influence policies and programs and optimize management actions that affect or respond to river and stream flow conditions. In support of this goal, the project had the following objectives:

• Develop a valid and defensible river and stream assessment method, employing and testing Normative Flow concepts, for use in King County rivers and streams
• Develop new analytical tools (e.g, models, databases, etc.) and/or adapt existing tools to support the assessment method
• Provide analytical tools to Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs) and other interested parties for consideration and use as needed to fill gaps in technical programs
• Develop and employ educational tools that improve understanding of Normative Flow analysis and its relevance to policy and program development and implementation
• Apply the assessment method to evaluate the efficacy of current or proposed flow regimes for ecosystem and conservation objectives
• Formulate flow management recommendations based upon the assessment and analytical methods
• Use the flow management recommendations to inform technical, regulatory (e.g, permitting), and policy decisions specific to King County
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of management actions based upon Normative Flow concepts to develop and implement corrections in analysis and actions as a result

Science review team and project partners

The Normative Flow Studies Project benefited from the involvement of a Science Review Team (SRT) of nationally-known technical experts, as well as the participation of tribal governments and regulatory agencies. The SRT included experts in hydrology, ecology, and fish biology to provide conceptual guidance and peer review for this project.

Science review team members

• Professor Derek Booth, University of Washington
• Robert Milhous, Ph.D, United States Geologic Survey
• Professor LeRoy Poff, Colorado State University
• Chris Frissell, Pacific Rivers Council

Participating tribal governments and regulatory agencies

King County invited tribal governments and regulatory agencies to take part in project scoping and the development of technical products. The following tribes and agencies participated in project scoping and product review, and also provided input on the the potential implications of the technical results for King County’s policies and programs:

• Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
• Tulalip Tribes
• Puyallup Tribe of Indians
• Washington State Department of Ecology
• Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife
• National Marine Fisheries Service
• United States Fish and Wildlife Service