Coho Intrinsic Potential

For more information about this layer please see the GIS Data Catalog. Information on estimating the quality and extent of historical habitat is needed for ongoing efforts to conserve and eventually recover protected populations of Pacific salmonids. Because georeferenced spatial data on habitat and fish distribution at the regional scale are lacking, we requested that NOAA implement a GIS approach in modeling the intrinsic potential (IP) of stream reaches to support juvenile coho salmon. The IP model uses geomorphic and hydrological attributes to estimate the latent potential of stream reaches to provide favorable habitat characteristics for spawning and rearing. Indices for the model are derived from a DEM and precipitation data. Thus, the model predicts patterns of relative productive potential expected in the absence of human disturbances, as related through the input data. The stream lines used as the basis for the IP geometry are based on King County's watercourse dataset, which has omission and spatial accuracy issues.