Welcome to the beta-website for the Puget Sound Watershed Characterization Project. This beta-website is a public service developed and maintained by the Washington State Department of Ecology (WDOE). The use of this website is conditional upon your explicit acceptance of the terms and conditions set forth in this disclaimer. By clicking “I Accept” on this disclaimer you agree to the conditions herein.

The information contained in this website is for reference and general information purposes only. We endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, but make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, analysis or related graphics contained on the website. The WDOE may make changes, updates, corrections and/or improvements on the data, website content, applications and services at any time without notice. It is incumbent upon the user of this website to understand the limitations and proper applications of the information contained in this website. Guidance on these limitations and proper application is contained in the website (User’s Guide) and associated foundational documents (Volumes 1 and 2). Consultation with the Watershed Characterization Technical Assistance Team (WCTAT) on the use of this information is advised.

In no event shall the WDOE be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental and consequential damages resulting from the omissions, error, misuse, or misinterpretation of any data, report or product, hard copy or electronic, originated from this website. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. Through this website you may also be able to link and obtain additional information and data services from other websites which are not under the control of the WDOE. We have no control over the nature, content, accuracy, and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

If you have questions regarding the use of this website please contact:

Colin Hume
Coordinator – WCTAT
Colin.Hume@ecy.wa.gov
425-649-7139

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.
Learn More
Read the User Guide
Understand the Watershed Characterization in greater detail, including how to use results to inform decisions.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
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.