Streamflow permanence in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Introduction

Streams that flow throughout summer (“permanent” streams) provide critical habitat for aquatic species and serve as an important water supply. Streams that go dry seasonally or only flow after rainfall or snowmelt are a natural feature of mountain systems, including Mount Rainier National Park. However, in years with substantially less than normal snowfall, like 2015, more streams go dry, resulting in less water for Mount Rainier National Park infrastructure and unknown consequences for stream ecology.