Normative Flow Studies Project Briefing (web version) October 28, 2002

2 Project Goal In order to promote salmon conservation and ecosystem integrity within King County, develop and employ Normative Flow concepts to influence policies and programs and optimize management actions that affect or respond to river and stream flow conditions.

3 Project Objectives - First Things First Develop a valid and defensible river and stream assessment method, employing and testing Normative Flow concepts, for use in King County rivers and streams Develop new analytical tools (e.g, models, databases, etc.) and/or adapt existing tools to support the assessment method Provide analytical tools to WRIAs and other interested parties for consideration and use as needed to fill gaps in technical programs. Develop and employ educational tools that improve understanding of Normative Flow analysis and its relevance to policy and program development and implementation Apply the assessment method to evaluate the efficacy of current or proposed flow regimes for ecosystem and conservation objectives If we achieve these objectives and the analytical approach and tools are proven viable, we will pursue three additional objectives...

4 Project Objectives - Building on the Analytical and Educational Foundation Formulate flow management recommendations based upon the assessment and analytical methods Use the flow management recommendations to inform technical, regulatory (e.g, permitting), and policy decisions specific to King County Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of management actions based upon Normative Flow concepts to develop and implement corrections in analysis and actions as a result

5 Habitat Structure Habitat Function Native Species Health and Diversity The Flow Regime is Fundamental Flow Regime Geoclimatic Processes Human Uses

6 What Does “Normative” Flow Mean? a flow regime that resembles the natural flow regime sufficiently to sustain all life stages of a diverse suite of native species, including salmonid populations in practice, it means paying attention to a range of flow related parameters: minimum flows are important, but there’s more to the picture Fundamental Assumption: The better the future flow regime mimics key parameters of the historic flow regime the better off listed salmon and other native species will be because they evolved successfully within that flow regime Fundamental Assumption: King County can implement/adapt our programs and policies at meaningful time and space scales in response to the ecosystem effects of our management actions

7 HYPOTHETICAL Time Discharge Normative Flow Regime Current Flow Regime What Does “Normative” Flow Mean? Historic Flow Regime

8 Normative Flow Parameters of Interest Hydrologic Characterization Magnitude and Frequency - How much water and how often? Duration - How long to flow conditions persist? Timing - When do flow events occur? Rate of Change - Is the flow regime flashy or stable? That’s only part of the picture... Hydrology

9 Normative Flow Parameters of Interest Ecological/Biological Response River productivity and respiration Substrate size distributions Channel and floodplain morphology and connectivity Benthic macroinvertebrate distribution, diversity, and productivity Floodplain vegetation communities Aquatic species interactions (trophic interactions, competition) Species life history and habitat use Other(s)? Ecology/ Biology Hydrology

10 What Relevant Analysis Examples Can We Find?

11 Examples of Key Study Questions How do we determine which flow parameters “matter most” to the conservation and recovery of current and potential future ESA-listed species? How close is close enough? How do we tell when a departure from natural flow parameter is too extreme to meet normative goals? How should stream order affect the application of natural flow regime analysis and normative flow management? Are there existing ecosystem models that can be used to incorporate normative flow concepts? Where have normative flow management approaches been applied and what lessons do these experiences provide? What do natural flow analysis and normative concepts offer for highly modified systems or rivers with highly altered channel and floodplain morphology? Are there flow regime scaling factors to maintain ecological function in rivers with flood control levees and dams? Ecology/ Biology Hydrology

12 (Very) Rough Project Flow Diagram Build Conceptual Framework and Model(s) (using IHA, reference systems, etc.) Maintain/Augment Data Mgmt/Modeling Infrastructure Develop Performance Measures for KC Actions (not a direct NFlows project task) Build/Run Model(s) Revise/ Implement Management Actions Collect/Analyze/ Synthesize Data Adapt/ Implement Management Actions (see slide 13) Identify Mgmt Scenarios KC Mgmt Actions Ext Mgmt Actions

13 King County’s Interests in Flow Studies Realm A number of relevant programs... Development and use of reclaimed water resources Implementation of aquatic/riparian habitat restoration and protection measures Implementation of water quality measures to meet TMDLs Regulation of and planning for land use in floodplains and in upland areas Maintenance, restoration and/or removal of flood management facilities (e.g., setback levees, flood control structures) and acquisition of floodprone properties Implementation of stormwater management requirements under federal and state law (e.g., NPDES) Operation and maintenance of a regional wastewater management system, and mitigation for its impacts Management of groundwater resources Monitoring of habitat and species, and resultant adaptive management actions

14 King County’s Interests in Flow Studies Realm Examples of how this project MIGHT unfold... KC plans the infrastructure to deliver reclaimed water to non-potable water users. This study is essential to understanding the location of the instream flow risk areas for salmon and how providing an alternative source of non-potable water could alleviate some of the risk. Managers of supply or flood management operations change the flow leaving upper watersheds and entering middle watersheds where KC has land use and flood management responsibility. This study is essential to preparing middle watershed habitats to maximize the ecological/biological benefits of the changed flow regime. DOE or FERC undertake flow setting activities in King County watersheds. This study helps provide the necessary science basis for KC to describe its policy and program interests that will be affected by flow setting decisions. WRIA planning/recovery planning encourage KC to continue to implement numerous instream or riparian habitat restoration projects. This study would improve understanding of successful ecological/biological interactions between, e.g., LWD installations or tree plantings, and instream flow.

15 Project Organization KC DNRP/KC Exec’s Office Science Review Team Technical Team Policy Linkages Group for KC Actions WRIAs External Mgmt Advisory Group IFC, TPU, ACOE, ?

16 How Does This Project Relate to Other Resource Management “Tables”? Our primary focus is King County policy, programs and projects - “What can King County contribute to the improvement of flows in streams and rivers?” Contributes to robust scientific inquiry integral to salmon conservation and recovery External “tables” may desire science-based analysis approaches and findings for reference or use in their program development and adaptive management activities External “tables” may desire data and analysis tools WRIAs Central Puget Sound Initiative (CPSI) Shared Strategy HCPs/FERC Agreements ??? Treaty Obligations

17 Focus Areas in 2002 Execute consultant contract and forming the Science Review Team Complete normative flow white paper Complete Watershed Characterization summary reports to inform the Science Review Team (summarize info from limiting factors analysis, etc.) Brief interested parties (e.g., WRIAs) Develop Conceptual Framework Formalize project structure, e.g. convening groups and getting input Begin data assembly and gap analysis Develop detailed project scope Begin tool development, e.g. analysis of existing tools to make biological- ecological connections