SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT PROJECT OVERVIEW Mitch Reid Brad Moore August 2013

ACF STAKEHOLDERS a diverse group representing sectors in all three states – working together for the first time to achieve a common goal achieve equitable water-sharing solutions among stakeholders that balance economic, ecological and social values, while ensuring sustainability for current and future generations. After developing a strong organizational infrastructure and completing a forward-thinking strategic planning process, ACFS is now ready to move forward with the critical next steps, centered around developing a Sustainable Water Management Plan for the Basin. Through scientific modeling and a shared vision process, ACFS will work to achieve a sustainable solution that works for everyone in the ACF Basin.

ACF BASIN

WHAT IS THE SWMP? Sustainable Water Management Plan Use of hydrologic modeling of the ACF basin to allow informed decision making Includes an evaluation of Apalachicola Bay

2011 consensus on a science based approach Developed specifications and executed RFQ Process Initiated fundraising campaign Chose contractors and started fall 2011 PROJECT HISTORY 16 March 2011

PROJECT TEAM Gail Bingham RESO LVE TOCWG

FUNDING Internal contributions Grants

Task 1: Work Plan Task 6: SWMP Model Runs Sub-Task 6.1: Baseline/Current Conditions Model Runs Sub-Task 6.2: Model Runs to Evaluate WMA’s Task 4: Model Inputs – Unimpaired Flows Dataset and Water Balance Task 3: Model Development Task 5: Water Management Alternatives Task 2: Performance Metrics: Evaluate Model Results Tasks 7 & 8: Develop consensus on SWMP In-stream Flow Analysis

Modeling performed by GWRI Scenarios are be performed using both ResSim and ACF-DSS. 16 March 2011 Modeling

PERFORMANCE METRICS Desired lake levels Navigation windows Environmental flows Flows needed for industry or thermal power

PERFORMANCE METRICS EXAMPLES NODEWater Supply ENVIRONMENTAL RECREATION NAVIGATION Lake Lanier% time ramp rate <.5 ft per day Apr-Jun % time < 1061 ftNA Columbus% time 7-day avg < 1850cfs % time daily avg < 1350 cfs % time 7-day avg < 1850cfs NA BainbridgeNone specified% time flow is < 15% of UIF avg daily flow % time > 900 cfsJan-May 9 ft channel SumatraNAHi, med,low flow hydrographs Covered by navigation Jan-May 9ft channel

ENVIRONMENTAL METRICS Performed Instream Flow Analysis Utilized USFWS information Utilized river keeper’s judgment

HABITAT-BASED APPROACH

Unimpaired inflow (UIF) series represent the natural inflows that would occur if no human development were present Using latest USACE UIF UNIMPAIRED FLOWS

WATER BALANCE 1. Water Withdrawals – Tabulation of existing and growth based (future) water users in the basin; includes municipal, industrial, agricultural, and thermoelectric users 2. Water Returns – Tabulation of existing and future returns from municipal and industrial NPDES permit holders Withdrawals Returns Net Consumption = S Withdrawals - S Returns

Utilized a panel of experts to review to receive briefing. Stakeholder meetings to develop WMAs Screening process of WMAs during iterative model runs. WATER MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES PROCESS

Potential changes to RIOP Interbasin transfers Municipal conservation Additional storage Agricultural conservation/limits WMA EXAMPLES

Baseline runs  Alternative WMA Scenarios (iterative) MODELING SCENARIO PROGRESSION 19

BASELINE RUNS No reservoirs, no controls, no consumption Reservoirs with run of river, no consumption Reservoirs with UASCE controls, no consumption Current conditions including net consumption

FIRST ITERATION RUNS Change consumption in range of +/- 30% Drop all IBT’s Raise Lanier by 2 ft

SECOND ITERATION RUNS To focus on insights from round one and changes to RIOP

APALACHICOLA BAY IMPACT Running hydrodynamic bay model to evaluate saline changes Performing an ecological evaluation of impact to oysters based on salinity changes

2. Problem Definition/Performance Indicators 1. Work Plan 8. Report and Study Dissemination 3. Tailoring of Models to Indicators (ACF-DSS and ResSim) NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 4. Data and Information 5. Development of Water Management Alternatives 6. Conduct Iterative Basin Assessments 7. Seek Consensus OVERALL SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN TASKS JAN FEB Where are we now?

REPORT DISSEMINATION 25 ACFS WILL CARRY RECOMMENDATIONS TO STATES AND USACE

ANY QUESTIONS ?