The purpose of the proposed work is to improve understanding of localized climate change impacts on streamflow, water temperature, and associated ecosystem services, and to identify water code and case law barriers and opportunities for climate change adaptation.
This report is organized around four main topics: (1) summary of projected climate effects on streamflow and water temperature by focusing on low flow conditions in regions with distinct hydrology, climate, and other significant factors; (2) an analysis of projected climate impacts on salmonids by characterizing critical flow conditions and other limiting factors for salmon restoration related to habit requirements and legal framework for water resource management; (3) a summary of Washington State law and policy barriers to streamflow management in response to climate, and (4) a synthesis of Western States’ policy responses to climate-induced stream flow change.
The Climate Change and Stream Flow: Barriers and Opportunities report is available on the Department of Ecology website.