Status of Instream Flow Science in the Southeastern US Mary M. Davis, Ph.D., Technical Advisor Southern 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: USFS CSIROMk2-B2 Scenario

Water Management 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:

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)

(Source: Poff et al. 2010)

Biotic indicator Hydrologic alteration Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA) (Source: Poff et al. 2010)

Characteristic species Thriving species Proportion of initial fish population metric Proportion of index flow removed Adverse resource impact Acceptable resource impact Source: Michigan Groundwater Conservation Advisory Council, 2007 ECOLOGICAL CONDITION Use of Ecological Response to Limit Flow Alteration

Example Flow Prescription Percent of Flow and Seasonality of allowable cumulative withdrawals Day of Year Source: 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 Agenda

South Atlantic Gulf Coast Prairie Support for the Southern 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 Products To Develop Flow-Ecology Relationships Ecological Condition Hydrologic Alteration Hydrologic Models Ecological Condition Assessment Aquatic Conservation Priority Areas Sources of Flow Alteration River Classification Hypothetical Flow- Ecology Relationships Quantify Flow Alteration Ecological Metric Research Priorities and Validation Ecological Data

Integration of Instream Research Agenda Products To Develop Flow-Ecology Relationships Ecological Condition Hydrologic Alteration Hydrologic Models Ecological Condition Assessment Aquatic Conservation Priority Areas Sources of Flow Alteration River Classification Hypothetical Flow- Ecology Relationships Quantify Flow Alteration Ecological Metric Research Priorities and Validation Ecological Data

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 Products To Develop Flow-Ecology Relationships Ecological Condition Hydrologic Alteration Hydrologic Models Ecological Condition Assessment Aquatic Conservation Priority Areas Sources of Flow Alteration River Classification Hypothetical Flow- Ecology Relationships Quantify Flow Alteration Ecological Metric Research Priorities and Validation Ecological Data

Priority Instream Flow Research Topic 3: Compile regional aquatic ecology data sets Multistate Aquatic Resources Information System 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.