Presentation Abstract
The Skagit Hydrodynamic Model Project was initiated by the Farms, Fish, and Flood Initiative (3FI) to conduct a landscape-scale alternative analysis in the Skagit River delta region. Twenty-three proposed restoration projects were assessed based on a number of quantitative indicators identified by representatives from each interest (Farm, Fish, and Flood). The study area focused on the Skagit River delta downstream of Mount Vernon, Washington. This reach of the Skagit River is tidally influenced and includes both the North Fork and South Fork distributaries, Skagit Bay, Padilla Bay, and the Swinomish Channel. The study area indirectly included approximately 55,000 acres of highly productive sub-tidal farmland. Several indicators were developed for the alternatives analysis to evaluate restoration concepts under a variety of flow and tidal conditions and under a climate change scenario. These indicators were directly informed using output from the Salish sea hydrodynamic model (HDM) using a normalized scoring methodology. This presentation will provide detail about how our team used output from the HDM to quantify indicators. It will also present how our team evaluated potential system- wide changes to water surface elevation, the balance of flow between the major distributaries, and salinity due to implementation of large restoration concepts, groups of projects and how we accounted for these system wide changes in our indicators. Finally, results from the climate change analysis and how we evaluated potential future impacts to habitat and agricultural practices will be presented.
Session Title
Understanding the Salish Sea Model and its Application for Puget Sound Recovery
Conference Track
SSE15: Data and Information Management
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE15-44
Start Date
4-4-2018 2:30 PM
End Date
4-4-2018 2:45 PM
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Streamflow--Washington (State)--Skagit River Delta; Watershed restoration--Washington (State)--Skagit River Delta; Chinook salmon--Habitat--Washington (State)--Skagit River Delta
Geographic Coverage
Skagit River Delta (Wash.); Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Skagit Delta alternatives analysis: using output from the Salish Sea hydrodynamic model to quantify benefits and impacts of restoration project concepts
The Skagit Hydrodynamic Model Project was initiated by the Farms, Fish, and Flood Initiative (3FI) to conduct a landscape-scale alternative analysis in the Skagit River delta region. Twenty-three proposed restoration projects were assessed based on a number of quantitative indicators identified by representatives from each interest (Farm, Fish, and Flood). The study area focused on the Skagit River delta downstream of Mount Vernon, Washington. This reach of the Skagit River is tidally influenced and includes both the North Fork and South Fork distributaries, Skagit Bay, Padilla Bay, and the Swinomish Channel. The study area indirectly included approximately 55,000 acres of highly productive sub-tidal farmland. Several indicators were developed for the alternatives analysis to evaluate restoration concepts under a variety of flow and tidal conditions and under a climate change scenario. These indicators were directly informed using output from the Salish sea hydrodynamic model (HDM) using a normalized scoring methodology. This presentation will provide detail about how our team used output from the HDM to quantify indicators. It will also present how our team evaluated potential system- wide changes to water surface elevation, the balance of flow between the major distributaries, and salinity due to implementation of large restoration concepts, groups of projects and how we accounted for these system wide changes in our indicators. Finally, results from the climate change analysis and how we evaluated potential future impacts to habitat and agricultural practices will be presented.
