Chehalis Basin Rain Gauge Network Diana R. Gergel1, Bart Nijssen1, Dennis P. Lettenmaier2 Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA Dept of Geography, University of California at Los Angeles
Background coastal watershed minimally affected by snow during most precipitation events (rain-dominant) except for highest elevations (transient areas) drains directly to the Pacific history of intensive flooding in Chehalis Basin: 2007 flood that closed down I-5 primarily privately owned land (Weyerhaeuser)
2015-2016: installation of 50-100 rain gauges Timeline of Study 2014-2015: pilot year of field study: installation of 5-10 rain gauges (dual-platform gauges); CoCoRaHS recruitment 2015-2016: installation of 50-100 rain gauges
First Year Progress partnering with Chehalis Flood Authority for precipitation monitoring in the Chehalis connecting dual-platform data feed to the Chehalis Flood Authority working with WA Dept of Ecology identifying site hosts making contacts with local colleges (Gray’s Harbor, Centralia College) working on gaining access to Weyerhaeuser private land recruiting additional WA CoCoRaHS observers
Chehalis Flood Authority Rain Gauge Network
Next steps find sites at higher elevations in the Chehalis use performance of dual-platform gauges to inform type of gauge for sitings next year work on remote data feed so that site hosts and the Chehalis Flood Authority can benefit from precipitation data