Title: Usual Forecast: Rainy Conditions

Main Text
The Carbon River Valley provides the right conditions for a temperate rainforest. Surrounded by mountains high enough to trap rainfall coming from the Puget Sound and low enough for mild temperatures, it receives about 70 to 90 inches of rain per year. Most of the rain falls in one long wet season during winter and spring. Summers are fairly dry, with fog providing most of the moisture.

Secondary Text
During the long rainy season, water falls on the tree canopy, trickles to the understory, and seeps into the ground. It then fills rivers, which return water to the ocean. Some of the moisture received by the temperate rainforests is returned to the atmosphere through evaporation. Moist air rises, forms clouds, and falls again as rain in an ongoing process. Big rainforest trees can store a large amount of water, which helps them get through the dry summer season. A single Douglas-fir can hold as much as 5,000 gallons of water.

Exhibit Panel Description
A single photo fills the exhibit panel, fading towards the top into a solid green background. The main text stretches across the top against the green background, with the secondary text positioned lower on the right side overlapping the photo. The photo shows a dense forest with tall, moss-covered trees. A small box in the lower right corner of the panel reads "User Fee Project. Your Fee Dollars at Work. Entrance fees were used to produce this exhibit".

Visit This Exhibit Panel
This exhibit panel is located along the Carbon River Rainforest Trail, which begins at the Carbon River Entrance. The Carbon River Entrance is open year-round. NOTE: The Carbon River Rainforest Trail has been damaged by fallen trees and sections are closed. Please travel with caution.