Forest Practices Water Typing
Water typing is a DNR classification system of streams and other water bodies in terms of whether or not they are used by fish, and whether or not streams experience perennial or seasonal flow. Water types are used by DNR Forest Practices to determine the amount and pattern of riparian buffer protection required during forest practice activities.
Landowners are required to determine in the field, the type of any waters within their harvest area prior to submittal of a forest practice application.
Water Type Classifications
The water type classifications currently in use are described in the forest practices rules WAC 222-16 (See section 031). Water types are based on either a stream or waterbody’s designation as a significant water, on the likelihood that a stream is potentially used by fish based on its size and gradient, and/or on whether or not a stream flows year-round (perennial). If a stream or waterbody is known to be used by fish, or fish are observed within it, it is classified as a fish-bearing water.
The following table describes the water type designations in use by DNR Forest Practices:
Type "S" = Shoreline
(formerly type 1) | Streams and waterbodies that are designated “shorelines of the state” as defined in chapter 90.58.030 RCW. |
Type "F" = Fish (formerly type 2 or 3) | Streams and waterbodies that are known to be used by fish, or meet the physical criteria to be potentially used by fish. Fish streams may or may not have flowing water all year; they may be perennial or seasonal. |
Type "Np" = Non-Fish Perennial
(formerly type 4) | Streams that have flow year round, but do not meet the physical criteria of a Type F stream. This also includes streams that have been proven not to contain fish using methods described in Forest Practices Board Manual Section 13. |
Type "Ns" = Non-Fish Seasonal
(formerly type 5) | Streams that do not have surface flow during at least some portion of the year, and do not meet the physical criteria of a Type F stream. |
Maps
DNR Forest Practices maintains and updates stream maps that show both modeled and field-verified stream types. You can check the water typing in your area of interest on the Forest Practices Application and Review System (FPARS) mapping website. These maps are provided as a starting point to help landowners identify and type streams on their property. However, it is the landowner’s responsibility to correctly identify and type all waters. Waters shown on the maps with modeled water types are a “best guess” and must be field verified prior to a forest practice activity. When a landowner identifies and/or verifies the water type of streams on his/her property, she/he is strongly encouraged to submit a water type modification form and water type map to DNR Forest Practices so that the DNR maps can be updated for future use. This is the only way to ensure that the DNR maps provided are accurate and in compliance with WAC 222-16 (See section 031).
FPARS Mapping Tool
The FPARS mapping website provides a variety of maps to assist you with water typing and submitting your forest practices application. The following maps can be accessed using the Select a Map drop down menu in the upper left corner of the map page:
| Activity Map | Required with a Forest Practices Application/Notification (FPA/N). |
| Base Map | Planning tool. |
| Site Class Map | Planning tool to assist in determining RMZ widths on type S & F waters. |
| Resource Map | Planning tool for identifying resources to consider when preparing a forest practices application. |
| Water Type Map | Submit with a Water Type Modification Form. Use this map to propose updates and corrections to water types or locations. |
In addition to the four water type codes described above, additional codes are used as placeholders on the FPARS maps. These are not water types, but are provided to explain what is known about the stream. Letter “N” – Non-fish. The Np or Ns (non-fish perennial or non-fish seasonal) determination has not been made.
Letter “X” – Non-typed water. The water feature exists, but does not meet the definition of a typed water as described in WAC 222-16.
Letter “U” – Unknown. The water type has not yet been presumed or field verified.
In addition to the information shown on the map, the landowner can use the mapping tool to determine where the stream type came from. Click on the circle next to “Streams” or “Water Bodies” in the right hand column to make it the active layer. Click on the identify tool on the left. Click the stream segment or waterbody that you are interested in finding information about. Use the water type code quick reference to determine how the water type was determined. Water types shown on the DNR maps are determined by one of the following:
1. a water typing survey in the field using
a. physical criteria, or
b. biological criteria (conducted or reviewed by a qualified biologist),
2. the fish habitat water type model (best guess),
3. the type was inherited from the water typing system prior to the model
because there was no match between the model and a mapped stream.
You can also find out when this information was last updated in the DNR system. (Use the water type code quick reference)
As described previously, the FPARS maps are provided as a starting point and a tool to assist the landowner in planning a forest practices activity. Although DNR makes its best effort to provide accurate maps, they do contain errors. These commonly include:
• Streams with the wrong water type
• Streams that are not on the map
• Streams that are in the wrong location
• Streams shown on the map that do not exist
DNR relies on landowners and other interested parties to provide updates to the maps reflecting what is actually on the ground to expidite the processing of Forest Practice Applications.
Water Typing and Forest Practice Applications
When submitting a forest practices application (FPA/N), landowners are required to correctly identify and type all waters, and describe how the water types were verified in the field for all waters within the proposed activity area and within 200 feet of the proposed activity. To do this, the landowner may use the Water Type Classification Worksheet in the FPA/N or provide a written description. Please refer to the FPA instructions (Western WA, Eastern WA) for a description of how to verify water types.
Activity maps showing the water type can be printed using the FPARS mapping website, or you can request one from your DNR Region Office. Compare the water types and locations shown on the map with all streams on your property. Make corrections on the activity map and submit it with the FPA/N.
Updating Water Type Information on DNR Water Type Maps
To provide updates, corrections, or to verify the water types and/or locations shown on the FPARS maps, landowners or others may voluntarily submit a water type modification form with an updated water type map to their local DNR Region Office. Landowners and other interested parties are encouraged to submit these forms, as it is the only way that water type and location updates make it into the FPARS maps. Water type and water location change proposals are accepted continually by DNR.
Water type update proposals must follow the definitions found in WAC 222-16 (See section 031). Waters meeting the physical characteristics described in this rule are presumed to have fish use. Forest Practices Board Manual Section 13 provides a water typing survey protocol that may be used to refute the presumption of fish presence.
The water type modification form and updated water type map is reviewed by the Washington Departments of Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife, Ecology, and the tribes and recommendations are provided to the DNR. If the proposed change is approved by DNR, the map information is updated and made available through the FPARS mapping website.
Questions and Assistance
For water typing questions or assistance consult your local DNR Region Office. The Small Forest Landowner Office has foresters and habitat biologists available to assist small landowners with stream typing on their property. The Forest Practices Division and the Small Forest Landowners Office in Olympia are also available to answer questions at (360) 902-1400.