This paper grew out of discussions at interdisciplinary and
interagency workshops held at the Humboldt Interagency Watershed
Analysis Center in McKinleyville, California on 4 May 1994.
Ideas contained herein are strongly influenced by the variety of
opinions expressed by the participants. Intermittent channels
comprise a large proportion of the drainage network in many
parts of the Pacific Northwest, and recent policy changes now
afford them an unprecedented level of protection. If, during
watershed analysis, these sites are found to be relatively
unimportant in maintaining the overall ecosystem, then their
level of protection is likely to be decreased. An important
function of watershed analysis on Federal lands of the Pacific
Northwest is thus to evaluate the roles these landscape features
play in maintaining ecosystems on adjacent slopes, in riparian
areas, and in downstream aquatic environments. Intermittent
channels which support distinctive riparian vegetation are most
important biologically; the major