Adventure #2:
Introduction to Types of Streams

Perennial streams have water all year long. They never dry. Scientists describe this as a constant baseflow. Meaning there is flow in the stream that is constant. The amount of water can change, however, it will always have some water flowing.

Intermittent streams have water (baseflow) at least once a year. This happens typically during spring and winter. The reason is that there is more precipitation or melting snow during these months, resulting in the groundwater table being higher. It is possible that certain streams have sections that are intermittent. Therefore part can have water and parts can be dry in the same stream.

Ephemeral streams are above the groundwater table. Therefore they only have water after a big rain/snow event. This doesn't last long. Most of the time these streams are dry.