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Go to First Page <br />Wetland name or number B <br />HGM Classification of Wetlands in Western Washington <br />For questions 1-7, the criteria described must apply to the entire unit being rated. <br />If the hydrologic criteria listed in each question do not apply to the entire unit being rated, you <br />probably have a unit with multiple HGM classes. In this case, identify which hydrologic criteria in <br />questions 1-7 apply, and go to Question 8. <br />1. Are the water levels in the entire unit usually controlled by tides except during floods? <br />NO - go to 2 YES - the wetland class is Tidal Fringe - go to 1.1 <br />1.1 Is the salinity of the water during periods of annual low flow below 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand)? <br />NO - Saltwater Tidal Fringe (Estuarine) YES - Freshwater Tidal Fringe <br />Ifyour wetland can be classified as a Freshwater Tidal Fringe use the forms for Riverine wetlands. If it <br />is Saltwater Tidal Fringe it is an Estuarine wetland and is not scored. This method cannot be used to <br />score functions for estuarine wetlands. <br />The entire wetland unit is flat and precipitation is the only source (>90%) of water to it. Groundwater <br />and surface water runoff are NOT sources of water to the unit. <br />NO - o to 3 YES - The wetland class is Flats <br />Ifyour wetland can be classified as a Flats wetland, use the form for Depressional wetlands. <br />3. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria? <br />The vegetated part of the wetland is on the shores of a body of permanent open water (without any <br />plants on the surface at any time of the year) at least 20 ac (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 />NO-goto5 <br />YES - The wetland class is Slope <br />NOTE: Surface water does not pond in these type of wetlands except occasionally in very small and <br />shallow depressions or behind hummocks (depressions are usually <3 ft diameter and less than 1 ft <br />deep). <br />S. Does the entire wetland unit meet all of the following criteria? <br />The unit is in a valley, or stream channel, where it gets inundated by overbank flooding from that <br />stream or river, <br />The overbank flooding occurs at least once every 2 years. <br />Wetland Rating System for Western WA: 2014 Update <br />Raring Form - Effective January 1, 2015 <br />