1. WHAT ARE ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS? Background and rationale Jay O’Keeffe WWF Professor of Freshwater Ecosystems UNESCO-IHE, Delft, The Netherlands

2. PURPOSE OF THE NEXT DAY AND A HALF To introduce the concept of environmental flows To describe some of the assessment methods To identify different regional requirements To discuss the role of WWF in promoting environmental flows

3. Environmental flows workshop, 11-12th March 11th March, Morning 09:00What are environmental flows? Background and rationale (O’Keeffe, McClain) 10:00Assessment methods for rivers(O’Keeffe) 11:00Tea/coffee 11.15Policy, legislation and social context for environmental flows(v d Heydon, Ombara) 12.30Case study – Rio Conchos(Arias, Barajas) 13.30 Lunch 11 th March, Afternoon 15:00Case studies – Mara River,Kafue River(Ombara, McClain, Leenen) 16.00 Tea/coffee 16.15Case study – Rio Grande(Bardwell) 16.45 Discussion – the need for environmental flows in different regions, appropriate methods and implementation(O’Keeffe, facilitator) 17:30Close. 12 th March, Morning 09:00Practical assessment: Small groups apply the BBM to a site on the Rio Conchos 11.15Tea/coffee 11.30Discussion: Identify priorities for implementing environmental flows in different river basins. Training needs and the role of WWF(Pittock/Kuiper, facilitators) 12:30 Close

4. About 0.3 m 3 sec -1

5. WHAT ARE ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS? The quality, quantity and distribution of water required to maintain the components, functions and processes of aquatic ecosystems on which people depend. The process of assessing an EWA will require a societal judgement about the state in which an ecosystem should be maintained. The quality, quantity and distribution of water required for any aquatic ecosystem will depend on the environmental objectives set for that system.

6. WHAT ARE ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS? The quality, quantity and distribution of water required to maintain the components, functions and processes of aquatic ecosystems on which people depend. The process of assessing an EWA will require a societal judgement about the state in which an ecosystem should be maintained. The quality, quantity and distribution of water required for any aquatic ecosystem will depend on the environmental objectives set for that system.

7. Water quantity and quality Rivers Estuaries Wetlands Groundwater Lakes

8. COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS Environmental flow allocation: is water wasted water on bugs and fish is water for “The Ecology” in competition with water for “Beneficial Uses” costs a lot to implement is designed to maintain rivers in a natural condition Environmental flows are all about balancing sustainable use and protection of water resources

9. Economic gain Environmental degradation % MAR abstracted 0 100 % 0 Large gains Low env. costs First 30% Very small gains Very rapid Increase Last 30%

11. COMMERCIAL FOREST HEALTH ISSUES ALIEN PLANTS & ANIMALS SEWAGE IRRIGATION CHANNEL MODIFICATION WATER ABSTRACTION WATER QUALITY TEMPERATURE SEASONAL CHANGES SENSE OF PLACE RECREATION & TOURISM MINING INDUSTRY URBAN CULTURAL/ RELIGIOUS FLOOD CONTROL HISTORICAL GOODS SUBSISTENCE WATER SUPPLY GOODS & SERVICES MEDICAL PLANTS SELF-PURIFICATION 1 O PRODUCTION

12. Natural GoodFair Poor ProtectedUnacceptable GoodFair WATER RESOURCE CLASSIFICATION

13. Questions that have to be answered to provide realistic Environmental Water Requirements: “What was the system like?” Reference Conditions “What is it like now?” Present Ecological State “What condition would we like it to be in?” Classification and Objectives “What flows and water quality are necessary to make or keep it as we would like it to be?” Assessment of EWA

14. “How important is it?” (to achieve the environmental objectives) Ecological Importance and Sensitivity “How much will it cost if the environmental objectives are not met?” Cost/benefit Analysis “How can the required flows be provided?” Implementation “How will we know whether the objectives are being achieved?” Monitoring

15. How do you go about assessing the water quantity necessary for a river?

16. SEDIMENT LOCAL SCALE PROCESSES RIPARIAN ZONE ORGANIC INPUTS DEPTH SEEPAGE FLOODPLAIN WETLANDS VELOCITY HYPORHEOS WETTED PERIMETER 1° PROD & DECOMPOSITION COVER

17. TEMPORAL VARIATION WET SEASON VEGETATION DRY SEASON SEDIMENTATION & SCOURING DROUGHT FLOOD ENCROACHMENT

23. GENERIC TYPES OF ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY Hydrology-based/Look-up table approaches Extrapolation approach Hydraulic rating methodologies Habitat simulation methodologies Holistic methodologies “See what happens” method “Upside down” instream flows approach Burden of proof (Impairment of the public trust)

24. HYDROLOGY Flows in m 3 /sec ECOLOGY Habitat types Ecological processes Indicator species The EngineerThe Ecologist HYDRAULICS Velocity, Depth, Substrate

25. Balance user and environmental functions Set environmental objectives/limits Learn to judge how far water resources can be used before those limits are exceeded Increase efficiency of water supply and sanitation Value ecosystem functions Some Lessons:

26. http://www.waterandnature.org/flowlaunch.html http://www.rivers.gov.au/publicat/research.htm Then click on: Environmental water allocation: principles, policies and practices King JM; Tharme R; De Villiers MS (2000) Environmental flow assessments for rivers: Manual for the building block methodology. TT131/00. From: The Water Research Commission, Private Bag X03, 0031 Rietfontein, Pretoria, South Africa Contact Numbers:Telephone: +27-12-330-0340 Fax: +27-12-331-2565 For all three of these reports, go to ftp.ihe.nl.ftp.ihe.nl The username and password are both ftpftp. Open folder Jay and download the reports.

27. THANK YOU

28. Wet Season Dry Season Look-up Table

29. Figure 2 Flow requirements for drought years for all ecological categories Extrapolation Approach

30. Habitat Simulation