status of instream flow science i n the southeastern us
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Status of Instream Flow Sciencein the Southeastern US
Mary M. Davis, Ph.D., Technical AdvisorSouthern Instream Flow Network
Objectives• Present a scientific framework for establishing
protective instream flow criteria
• Provide an update on advances in instream flow science in SE US
• Strengthen links between mollusk and instream flow scientists in the region
“Hydrologic regimes are the master variables in aquatic ecosystems.” Poff et al. 1997
Alteration of hydrologic regimes is a primary threat to the ecological
integrity of aquatic ecosystems.
Source: USFSCSIROMk2-B2 Scenario
WaterManagement
Who decides how much water needs to stay in the rivers?
IFIM
ELOHA
ESWM
Scientifically credible environmental flow standards are necessary to balance economic pressures.
IFIM
Southern Instream Flow Network
Purpose - To facilitate protective instream flow policies and practices in 15 southern states by providing science-based resources and opening lines of communication.
More information at: www.southeastaquatics.net/programs/sifn/
Southern State Approaches for Determining IF Standards
• Minimum flow threshold– 7Q10 (e.g., AL, LA, MS)– Modified Tennant (e.g., AR, GA, SC)
• Statistically based standards(e.g., FL St Johns WMD, Potomac River Commission)
• Percent of flow approaches(e.g., FL SW Florida and Suwannee River WMDs, TN Presumptive WQ Standard)
Science-based Methods to Determine Instream Flow Needs
• Incremental Flow Method (IFIM)
• Ecologically Sustainable Water Management (ESWM)
• Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA)
Science-based Methods to Determine Instream Flow Needs
• Incremental Flow Method (IFIM)
• Ecologically Sustainable Water Management (ESWM)
• Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA)
Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA)
http://conserveonline.org/workspaces/eloha
(Source: Poff et al. 2010)
Bioti
c ind
icat
or
Hydrologic alteration
Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA)
http://conserveonline.org/workspaces/eloha
(Source: Poff et al. 2010)
Characteristic species
Thriving species
1.0
0.9 -
0.8 -
0.7 -
0.6 -
0.5 -
0.4 -
0.3 -
0.2 -
0.1 -
0.0
Prop
ortio
n of
initi
al fi
sh
popu
latio
n m
etric
Proportion of index flow removed
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
Adverse resource impact
Acceptable resource impact
Source: Michigan Groundwater Conservation Advisory Council, 2007
ECO
LOG
ICAL
CO
ND
ITIO
NUse of Ecological Response to
Limit Flow Alteration
0
400
800
1200
1600
2000
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
Flow
(cfs
)
10%
8%
13%18%
LFT = 67 cfs
Example Flow PrescriptionPercent of Flow and Seasonality
of allowable cumulative withdrawals
Day of YearSource: Southwest Florida Water Management District MFL Program
Objectives• Present a scientific framework for establishing
protective instream flow criteria
• Provide an update on advances in instream flow science in SE US
• Strengthen links between mollusk and instream flow scientists in the region
• Problem: The limited focus on research and funding for instream flows has resulted in a lack of science to support protective instream flow standards.
• Objective: to highlight research needs and coordinate sources of funding and research to address these needs.
• Goal: to ensure that instream flow research is focused on the needs of water resource managers for scientifically credible and protective state instream flow standards and practices.
Southern Instream Flow Research Agendawww.southeastaquatics.net/programs/sifn
South AtlanticGulf Coast Prairie
Support for theSouthern Instream Flow Research Agenda
Instream Flow Products Under Development for the LCCs
• Hydrologic Foundation • Ecological Databases • Flow-ecology Literature Review• Flow Alteration Assessment • River Classification• Aquatic Conservation Priorities
Integration of Instream Research Agenda ProductsTo Develop Flow-Ecology Relationships
Ecol
ogic
al C
ondi
tion
Hydrologic Alteration
+
+
-
- 0
Hydrologic Models
Ecological ConditionAssessment
Aquatic Conservation Priority Areas
Sources of Flow Alteration
River Classification
Hypothetical Flow-Ecology Relationships
Quantify Flow Alteration
EcologicalMetric
Research Priorities and ValidationEc
olog
ical
Dat
a
Integration of Instream Research Agenda ProductsTo Develop Flow-Ecology Relationships
Ecol
ogic
al C
ondi
tion
Hydrologic Alteration
+
+
-
- 0
Hydrologic Models
Ecological ConditionAssessment
Aquatic Conservation Priority Areas
Sources of Flow Alteration
River Classification
Hypothetical Flow-Ecology Relationships
Quantify Flow Alteration
EcologicalMetric
Research Priorities and ValidationEc
olog
ical
Dat
a
SE River Classification
• Based on existing classifications
• Hierarchical scales for geomorphology, hydrology, and biota
• Principals: John Faustini, USFWS and Chris Konrad, USGS
SARP Flow Alteration Assessment
Approach – Qualitatively assess sources, spatial distribution, and relative magnitude of hydrologic alteration from water consumption, impervious cover, and dams.
Preliminary SE Flow-Ecology Relationships
Source: McManamay et al. 2011
Objectives• Present a scientific framework for establishing
protective instream flow criteria
• Provide an update on advances in instream flow science in SE US
• Strengthen links between mollusk and instream flow scientists in the region
Integration of Instream Research Agenda ProductsTo Develop Flow-Ecology Relationships
Ecol
ogic
al C
ondi
tion
Hydrologic Alteration
+
+
-
- 0
Hydrologic Models
Ecological ConditionAssessment
Aquatic Conservation Priority Areas
Sources of Flow Alteration
River Classification
Hypothetical Flow-Ecology Relationships
Quantify Flow Alteration
EcologicalMetric
Research Priorities and ValidationEc
olog
ical
Dat
a
Priority Instream Flow Research Topic 3:Compile regional aquatic ecology data sets
Multistate Aquatic Resources Information Systemwww.marisdata.org
Integrating State Data into the National Fish Habitat Assessment
MARIS States (2010)
Conclusions:
• Instream flow science is advancing through state, regional, and national efforts.
• Access to biological monitoring data is key to developing scientific flow-ecology relationships.
• Good communication among mollusk scientists and instream flow programs will be key to leveraging limited resources and protection of southern aquatic resources.
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