Intermittent streams are streams that dry up during the summer months or only during periods of long drought.

There are 2 reasons why streams may be intermittent:

• Natural - The stream is too small to sustain its flow all year.
  • Plants, fish and insects that live in these streams adapt to the seasonal changes of water levels and flow.
• Human induced - Water above the stream may have been diverted for agricultural or industrial use, causing the stream to dry up.
  • Plants, fish and insects cannot adapt to inconsistent changes in their habitats.