Rivers for Life Managing Water for People and Nature Brian Richter Director, Sustainable Waters Program

Global Water Consumption

Sustainable Water Management Managing human uses of water such that enough water of sufficient quality is available for use by future generations

Ecosystem Services

E = ecosystem support H = human use Traditional Approach to Water Management

E = ecosystem support H = human use A Sustainable Approach to Water Management

Water Availability in Texas

Ecological Condition The Ecological Condition Gradient Increasing Effect of Human Activity Natural structure & function of biotic community maintained Minimal changes in structure & function Evident changes in structure and minimal changes in function Moderate changes in structure & minimal changes in function Major changes in structure & moderate changes in function Severe changes in structure & function

Adaptive Flow Restoration E = ecosystem support H = human use

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC Environmental Flow Building Blocks Savannah River, below Thurmond Dam (River-Floodplain) Low Flows High Flow Pulses Floods 3,000 cfs; 3 successive years every years Floodplain tree recruitment <5,000 cfs Adequate floodplain drainage Create shallow water habitat for small-bodied fish >8,000 cfs Larval drift for pelagic spawners 50,000-70,000 cfs; 2 weeks, avg every 2 yrs Maintain channel habitats Create floodplain topographic relief Provide fish access to the floodplain control invasive species Maintain wetlands and fill oxbows and sloughs Enhance nutrient cycling & improve water clarity Disperse tree seeds <13,000 cfs; 3 successive years, every years Floodplain tree recruitment 8,000-12,000 cfs; Exchange water with oxbows 20,000-40,000 cfs; 2-3 days, 1/month Provide predator-free habitat for birds Disperse tree seeds Transport fish larvae Flush woody debris from floodplain to channel Floodplain access for fish Fish passage past NSBLD >30,000 cfs;5 pulses, >2 days with 2 events of 2 week duration (March and early April) Key Dry Year Avg Year Wet Year

Benefits of Building Block Approach Stakeholders and water managers understand what can be regained from each piece of flow restoration Fosters public dialogue about river values and how far to go up the restoration curve Engenders political support for protection or restoration Stimulates creativity in searching for water management solutions

Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (LOHA) Method Hydrologic Status Ecological Condition Class Limits of Hydrologic Alteration Natural, undeveloped Natural or native conditionHydrologic characteristics altered only slightly, or not at all. Minimally altered Minimal change in structure and function One or more hydrologic characteristics are moderately altered. Moderately altered Moderate change in structure and function Multiple hydrologic characteristics are moderately altered Strongly altered Major or severe change in structure and function Most or all hydrologic characteristic are heavily altered

“It is one thing to find fault with an existing system. It is another thing altogether, a more difficult task, to replace it with another approach that is better.” --- Nelson Mandela, 16 November 2000, speaking of water resource management

For more information: or