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Wetland name or number <br /> Classification of Wetland Units in Western Washington <br /> If the hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, <br /> you probably have a unit with multiple HGM classes. In this case,identify which hydrologic <br /> criteria in Questions 1-7 apply, and go to Question 8. <br /> 1. Are the water levels in the wetland unit usually controlled by tides(i.e. except during floods)? <br /> ®NO—go to 2 ❑YES—the wetland class is Tidal Fringe <br /> If yes, is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt(parts per <br /> thousand)? YES—Freshwater Tidal Fringe NO—Saltwater Tidal Fringe(Estuarine) <br /> If your wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine <br /> wetlands. If it is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is rated as an Estuarine wetland. Wetlands that <br /> were called estuarine in the first and second editions of the rating system are called Salt Water <br /> Tidal Fringe in the Hydrogeomorphic Classification. Estuarine wetlands were categorized <br /> separately in the earlier editions, and this separation is being kept in this revision. To maintain <br /> consistency between editions,the term"Estuarine"wetland is kept. Please note,however, that <br /> the characteristics that define Category I and II estuarine wetlands have changed(see p. ). <br /> 2. The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is only source (>90%) of water to it. <br /> Groundwater and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit <br /> ®NO—go to 3 ❑YES—The wetland class is Flats <br /> If your wetland can be classified as a"Flats"wetland,use the form for Depressional <br /> wetlands. <br /> 3. Does the entire wetland unit meet both of the following criteria? <br /> ❑ The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of open water(without <br /> any vegetation on the surface) at least 20 acres(8 ha) in size; <br /> ❑ At least 30% of the open water area is deeper than 6.6 ft(2 m)? <br /> ®NO—go to 4 ❑YES—The wetland class is Lake-fringe (Lacustrine Fringe) <br /> 4. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria? <br /> ❑ The wetland is on a slope(slope can be very gradual), <br /> ❑ The water flows through the wetland in one direction(unidirectional)and usually comes from <br /> seeps. It may flow subsurface,as sheetflow,or in a swale without distinct banks. <br /> ❑ The water leaves the wetland without being impounded? <br /> NOTE: Surface water does not pond in these types of wetlands except occasionally in very <br /> small and shallow depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually<3ft diameter <br /> and less than a foot deep). <br /> ®NO—go to 5 ❑YES—The wetland class is Slope <br /> Wetland Rating Form—western Washington 3 August 2004 <br /> Version 2 Updated with new WDFW definitions Oct.2008 <br />