The Nisqually watershed, with a land area of 988 square miles, is located in western Washington and drains into the Puget Sound. The hydrology of the watershed is dominated by the Nisqually River, which flows 78 miles from the Nisqually Glacier on Mount Rainier to Puget Sound. The watershed experiences a significant snowpack in the winter, which contributes to the river's flow during the drier summer months. Surface water quality in the watershed is influenced by agricultural and urban land use, as well as forestry. The watershed contains several reservoirs, including Alder Lake, which supplies water for Tacoma and surrounding areas. Interesting climatic facts and trends include the increasing frequency of extreme precipitation events and rising temperatures, which can impact snowpack and streamflow. Additionally, the Nisqually watershed is home to several endangered and threatened species, including Chinook salmon and steelhead trout.