Climate Work in the Puyallup Watershed

FFTF Partners are committed to understanding the ways in which climate change will impact their work throughout the Puyallup River Watershed. This page provides information related to climate change studies being conducted and supported by FFTF partners.

Climate Projects

FFTF Puyallup Watershed Restoration and Flood Benefits

 

Status: In-process

Scale and Extent: Watershed

Description: Quantify flood and sediment storage from proposed or potential setbacks as well as instream restoration in upland tributaries to compare to current and future flood volume and aggradation rates.

For more information, contact Guillaume Mauger, University of Washington Climate Impacts Group (UW CIG): gmauger@uw.edu

 

Clear Creek Salinity Intrusion Study

 

Status: In-process

Scale and Extent: Clear Creek

Description: Determine how often the salt wedge enters Clear Creek now and in the future.

For more information, contact Guillaume Mauger, University of Washington Climate Impacts Group (UW CIG): gmauger@uw.edu

 

Cross-Section Survey of Lower River

Status: In-process

Scale and Extent: Lower to mid-river, site specific (Puyallup)

Description: Cross-section surveys where the river is confined between levees to capture changes in aggradation over time.

For more information, contact Helmut Schmidt  or Dennis Dixon at Pierce County: helmut.schmidt@piercecountywa.gov or dennis.dixon@piercecountywa.gov

Flood Inundation Mapping

Status: Planned

Scale and Extent: Watershed

Description: Determine future flood depth and extent for current conditions if all proposed setbacks are implemented with all man-made flood protections removed.

For more information, contact Helmut Schmidt or Todd Essman at Pierce County: helmut.schmidt@piercecountywa.gov or todd.essman@piercecountywa.gov

Sediment: Phase 1 - Document the Scale and Extent of Recent Aggradation

Status: Planned

Scale and Extent: Carbon and Puyallup Rivers

Description: A similar study has already been conducted on the White River. This study would expand on the analysis to update aggradation rates for the Puyallup and Carbon Rivers using data that has been collected since the 2011 report.

For more information, contact Kathleen Berger at Pierce County: kathleen.berger@piercecountywa.gov

Sediment: Phase 2 - Improve Understanding of Underlying Causes of Observed Aggradation

Status: Planned

Scale and Extent: Middle and Lower Puyallup River, Carbon River

Description: Determine causes of aggradation to understand management options and long-term trajectory of aggradation.

For more information, contact Kathleen Berger at Pierce County: kathleen.berger@piercecountywa.gov

Monitoring: Suspended and Bedload Sampling

Status: Planned

Scale and Extent: Watershed, Site-Specific

Description: Monitoring suspended and bedload sediment at specific sites to track changes and sources of changes over time. Provide data for more accurate sediment modeling.

For more information, contact Kathleen Berger at Pierce County: kathleen.berger@piercecountywa.gov

Impacts of Climate Change on Peak Flow in the Puyallup River Basin

Status: In-process

Scale and Extent: Puyallup River and Tributaries

Description: Determine future peak stream flows for Puyallup River and tributaries, providing all times/seasons.

For more information contact Guillaume Mauger, University of Washington Climate Impacts Group (UW CIG): gmauger@uw.edu