{
  "checked_at_utc": "2026-09-25",
  "site": "Chehalis–Satsop River confluence, Grays Harbor County, Washington",
  "classification": "candidate_screen_only",
  "verified_divertible_af": null,
  "verified_flood_reduction": null,
  "question": "Could a lawful, engineered, off-channel transfer near the junction reduce damaging flood peaks while protecting river and floodplain habitat?",
  "monitoring": [
    {
      "site": "12035000",
      "description": "Satsop River near Satsop, about 2.3 miles upstream from its mouth",
      "2022_example": "approved 15-minute discharge available January 1–10",
      "source": "https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/12035000/"
    },
    {
      "site": "12033305",
      "description": "Chehalis River above Satsop River at Fuller",
      "2022_example": "site record ends in 2007; no simultaneous 2022 upstream discharge",
      "source": "https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/12033305/"
    },
    {
      "site": "12035002",
      "description": "Chehalis River near Satsop, about 2.3 miles below the confluence",
      "2022_example": "discharge record ended in 2008; no simultaneous downstream series",
      "source": "https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/12035002/"
    }
  ],
  "habitat_context": "Lower Satsop River restoration includes floodplain habitat and three ponds about one mile above the confluence; these are not verified diversion or storage capacity for this project.",
  "habitat_source": "https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/scientific-reports/asrp-research",
  "next_evidence": [
    "Synchronous Chehalis upstream and downstream hydrographs or a calibrated hydraulic model",
    "Flood-stage and backwater mapping through the junction for candidate events",
    "Off-channel site footprint, elevation, land access and fish habitat assessment",
    "Legal and ecological flow reservations and intake screening",
    "Storage, pump, pipe, energy, treatment and monitored-outflow design"
  ],
  "warning": "Do not add river-gauge flows or treat nearby restoration ponds as project storage. Hydraulic modeling must demonstrate downstream stage reduction before claiming flood benefit."
}