During the baseflow ascending limb, there is frequently more stream area and habitat available for water-dependent species, spawning salmon for example.
Baseflow is derived from bedrock water storage near surface valley soils and riparian zones.
[2] The volume and rate of water moving as baseflow can be affected by macropores, micropores, and other fractured conditions in the soil and shallow geomorphic features.
In the fall baseflow can increase before it starts to rain because the trees drop their leaves and stop drinking as much water.
[4] Good baseflow is connected to surface water that is located in permeable, soluble, or highly fractured bedrock.
Bad baseflow is in crystalline or massive bedrock with minor fracturing and doesn't store water.
Tracers may be inserted into different parts of the watershed to identify flow paths and transit times.