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Washington State's Wetlands Function Assessment Project

The Wetlands Function Assessment Project was a statewide effort to develop relatively rapid, scientifically acceptable methods of assessing how well wetlands perform functions such as improving water quality, reducing floods, and providing wildlife habitat. The methods were developed for different wetland types in Washington State. Methods for assessing wetland functions have been developed for:

Riverine and depressional wetlands in the Lowlands of Western Washington (Volume 1)
Depressional wetlands in the Columbia Basin (Volume 2)

The project was coordinated by Ecology with funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Update Archive (WFAM News) - the last update was April 2001
Frequently Asked Questions

Washington State Wetland Function Assessment Methods (WFAM)

Methods for Assessing Wetland Functions, commonly called the Washington State Wetland Function Assessment Methods (WFAM), are a collection of assessment methods developed by interdisciplinary teams of experts. The assessments provide a score for the degree to which several functioins (up to 15) are performed by a wetland. The methods are based on the hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification for wetlands, which categorizes wetlands into groups that function in similar ways (based on the geomorphic and hydrologic characteristics). The highest categories (i.e., classes) for wetlands in a region are defined nationally. Subclasses for each of these classes are defined regionally by experts within that area. In Washington, regions were created to reflect the differences in wetland functions, or differences in how functions are performed.

HGM Classes

Riverine
Depressional
Slope
Lacustrine Fringe
Estuarine Fringe
Flats (Mineral and Organic)

Regions in Washington

Montane
Lowlands of Western Washington
Columbia Basin
Lowlands of Eastern Washington

Methods for the Columbia Basin and the Lowlands of Washington

Methods have been completed for HGM classes/subclasses in two regions in Washington: Lowlands of Western Washington (riverine and depressional wetlands) and the Columbia Basin (depressional wetlands).

Columbia Basin Methods

Methods for Assessing Wetland Functions, Volume II: Depressional Wetlands in the Columbia Basin of Eastern Washington (2 parts) are available. You can download PDF files of each part for printing; or if you want a paper copy sent to you, download an Adobe PDF order form with complete instructions, or if you prefer, you can download an MS Word order form.

Part 1 (2.4 mb. pdf) contains background information and three methods, one each for three types of depressional wetlands occurring in the Columbia Basin.
Part 2 (5.6 mb. pdf) contains procedures and field forms for collecting and recording the data needed to apply the methods.

Also available are 3 accompanying Microsoft Excel files and a readme file explaining how to use them with the document.

Lowlands of Western Washington Methods

Methods for Assessing Wetland Functions, Volume I: Riverine and Depressional Wetlands in the Lowlands of Western Washington (2 parts) are also available. You can download the document for printing (numerous PDF and MS Excel files); OR if you want a paper copy sent to you, download an Adobe PDF order form or an MS Word order form with complete instructions.

Changes and Clarifications Now Available - A document listing changes and clarifications to Volume I is now available. Changes include general comments, as well as changes to specific pages, data, and parts of the data forms. Select one of the links below to download the Changes and Clarifications document. We are also providing replacements for selected pages.

Changes and Clarifications (Word doc. - 157 k.)
or (Adobe PDF - 230 k.) Part 1 Replacement Pages (Adobe PDF - 230 k.)
Part 2 Replacement Pages (Adobe PDF - 220 k.)

Note - If you attended the first 5-day training July 12-16, you will need to use a different set of replacement pages for the Part 1 Methods document. Part 1 Replacement Pages - First Trainees. (Adobe PDF - 500 k.)

List of Trainees Available - Follow one of the links below to download a list of people who have already completed the above training. Note: the list does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of the qualifications of anyone on it. It is provided for informational purposes only.

Trainee List (Word document - 98 k.) or (Adobe PDF - 131 k.)

Training

Ecology currently does not have plans to offer training classes in “Methods to Assess Wetland Functions.” However, to prepare for future classes, staff are revising the methods for riverine and depressional wetlands in the lowlands of western Washington.

Revisions will involve incorporating the documents “Clarifications and Changes” and “Replacement Pages” published on this web page in February 2001. Once the revisions have been completed, staff will schedule a training class. Announcements about the class will be posted on this web page and sent to our listserv and postal mailing list.