Generic Substrate and Sockeye Salmon

WDFW and Ecology recommended Habitat Suitability Criteria (HSC) or preference codes and values for instream flow modeling using PHABSIM or RHABSIM models. These values are based on habitat suitability studies. WDFW and/or Ecology staff (or individuals following WDFW-Ecology study guidelines) recorded the depth, velocity, substrate, and cover used by fish in a study reach.

Recommended Preferences do not always accurately reflect local conditions. Therefore, these preference values should only be used after consultation with and written agreement of WDFW and/or Ecology instream flow biologists. HSI preference curves are being revised continually as new data are obtained and analyzed. Please contact the Department of Ecology or WDFW for the most recent preference curves for salmon, trout, and other game fishes.

Cover Classes
1 - silt, clay, or organic
2 - sand
3 - sm gravel (0.1-.5")
4 - med gravel (.5-1.5")
5 - Irg gravel (1.5-3")
6 - sm cobble (3-6")
7 - Irg cobble (6-12")
8 - boulder (>12')
9 - bedrock


TABLE 12. Pink Salmon (O. gorbuscha) Spawning Substrate Preference Data
Squire Creek, N. Fork Stillaguamish, Dosewallips, and Duckabush rivers (3 studies, 46 redds).
For the full table of 3 digit codes, use Table 2