Puget Sound Watershed Characterization Project

The Puget Sound Watershed Characterization Project is a regional tool that compares areas of the Puget Sound basin in terms of their suitability and value for restoration and protection. This website lets you explore individual watersheds in terms of:
  • water flow processes
  • water quality processes
  • fish and wildlife habitats
Once you are ready to start exploring, click on one of the watersheds (called Water Resource Inventory Areas or WRIAs).
Getting Started
How to Get Started
Quickly learn about the Puget Sound Watershed Characterization Project and this website.
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Read the User Guide
Understand the Watershed Characterization in greater detail, including how to use results to inform decisions.
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Beta - Water Flow 2.0 Results
View the recently updated (2019) results of our Water Flow model
View Map
Layer Gallery
Explore and understand Watershed Characterization results for water flow, water quality, and fish and wildlife habitats.
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Story Maps

Every watershed has a story that can be told through maps. You can view story maps that show how Watershed Characterization is being used to:
  • Guide land use planning,
  • Inform stormwater decisions, and
  • Identify the best places for mitigation and restoration projects.
Check out a story map that is most similar to your watershed management situation. For more details on any of the story maps, click the corresponding case study.