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A project of the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership
These Wiki pages document the on-going work of SIFN to advance instream flow science in the southeastern US.
We would like to thank the South Atlantic (SALCC) and Gulf Coast Prairie (GCPLCC) Landscape Conservation Cooperatives and our many partners throughout the region for their support.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Southeastern United States is a global center of aquatic biodiversity. The region’s rich array of habitats and mild climate support the greatest number of fish, mussel, and other aquatic species of any other region in North America, as well as the greatest number of aquatic species of special federal and state concern. Life in southern rivers is closely tied to the natural seasonal and annual cycles of flow to reproduce, grow, and thrive. Protection of instream flows – the natural variations of water levels in rivers and streams - is critical to maintenance of these rich aquatic ecosystems.
The Southeast is also a region of rapid population growth and increasing pressure on our finite water resources. Flow alteration from consumption and other water management practices is identified by experts as one of the major threats facing aquatic habitats across the region. Interest in developing effective instream flow protection has increased among water resource managers as recent droughts and interstate controversies have called attention to the limits of water resources. Balancing human and environmental demands for water is becoming more and more difficult. The importance of natural flow regimes to the ecological integrity of rivers has been established for decades, but more specific information is needed to develop and implement scientifically credible instream flow standards to protect our rivers.
As a consequence of the widespread impacts of increased uses of surface water and climate changes in the region, the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) identified implementation of protective instream flow policies as a priority strategy in its Southeast Aquatic Habitat Plan. SARP developed SIFN to address the impacts of flow alterations in the region’s aquatic ecosystems. SIFN leverages policy, technical experience, and scientific resources among partners based in 15 states (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV). The SIFN goal is to help develop and improve protective instream flow policies by providing scientific resources and opening lines of communication. See the SIFN website for more information at The SIFN Home Page.
The Southern Instream Flow Research Agenda is a collaborative effort between SARP and our many partners to strengthen the scientific foundation for instream flow protection and standards in the Southern US. The Research Agenda has guided work by SIFN across the region since 2009, with most recent projects for the SALCC and GCPLCC. The background of the Research Agenda and subsequent Research Plans is described in the next section.
For more information, contact Dr. Mary Davis, SIFN Coordinator, at mary@southeastaquatics.net.
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SOUTHERN INSTREAM FLOW RESEARCH AGENDA AND LCC RESEARCH PLANS
The Southern Instream Flow Research Agenda is a collaborative effort to strengthen the scientific foundation of protective instream flow standards and management practices in the Southern US. The agenda articulates the priority research topics identified by aquatic ecologists and resource managers from 15 southern states as the scientific information necessary to inform, develop, and implement protective instream flow standards. The objective is to highlight research needs and thereby coordinate sources of funding and research to address these priority topics.
Since its inception in 2009, work under the Southern Instream Flow Research Agenda has facilitated and leveraged expertise and resources of SARP, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Geological Survey, Department of Interior Landscape Conservation Cooperatives, state water resource agencies, and many others. The work has focused on the needs of water resource managers for scientifically credible, protective state instream flow standards. To download a copy of the Southern Instream Flow Research Agenda from the SARP website, click here [2]
It is good to report that the original intent of the Southern Instream Flow Research Agenda has been largely met. Funding and other resources have been applied to advancing instream flow science in the Southeast. The Department of Interior Landscape Conservation Cooperatives recognized the value of producing the regional products outlined in the Research Agenda as a necessary first step in protecting streams and rivers in the respective LCC regions. Their funding has provided the foundation for bringing other resources to bear on the problem. The priority research needs identified in the Research Agenda are all being addressed. We are now moving beyond the Research Agenda and identifying the next iteration of research needs to advance instream flow science in the south. Along with the instream flow resources, you will see Instream Flow Research Plans as the final product from projects SARP has with the LCCs. These Research Plans are intended to assist the LCCs direct funding and resources to the priority instream flow information and research needs in their respective regions. To download a copy of the SALCC Instream Flow Research Plan from the SALCC website, click here TBD
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Regional Hydrologic Foundation
UPDATED November 28, 2012
Rationale and Integration
A primary objective of the SARP instream flow projects for the SALCC and GCPLCC is to develop baseline information on hydrologic alteration in rivers and streams across the SALCC region. Hydrologic models are necessary to generate baseline (i.e., reference), current, and future hydrographs so that flow alerations at a location can be quantified. Changes in ecological condition can then be assessed relative to the degree of flow alteration.
This hydrologic foundation will integrate with the other instream flow resources by,:
- providing estimates of flow alteration for studies of ecological responses to flow alteration;
- quantifying altered flows at priority aquatic conservation areas; and
- substantiating estimates of flow alterations due to consumption, impervious surface, and dam operations across the region.
Resource Description
An initial step in developing flow-ecology relationships is to quantify the degree of hydrologic alteration by comparing baseline hydrologic conditions with current conditions at sites where ecological data is available. Various state and federal watershed hydrologic models have been developed or are under development in the LCC regions. SARP provides a report the extent, resolution, and availability of these hydrologic models, identifies information gaps, and assesses their applicability to serve as a hydrologic foundation for instream flow policy and management practices. Recommendations are provided for the LCCs for next steps towards developing a regional hydrologic foundation. These reports are available at links below.
Related Resources
- Regional Hydrologic Foundation - Expert Review Process - Track issues and decisions made by the SIFN Hydrologic Foundation Committee for the GCPLCC
- Download SARP's Assessment of Hydrologic Model Availability in the SALCC at http://dl.dropbox.com/u/56483498/SALCC%20Hydrologic%20Model%20Assessment.pdf
- Next Steps Towards Development of A Hydrologic Foundation for the SALCC - The conclusion of the SARP Hydrologic Model Assessment for the SALCC region was that there was no single hydrologic model available for the region. Two alternatives were suggested: either utilize the existing state-based models or create a new regional model. Discussions with the SALCC Rivers and Streams Group and selected experts familiar with hydrologic foundations identified the later option as the best. The state-based models, while good for their particular applications, were developed for various time and spatial scales and using different assumptions. Hydrographs produced by different models would not necessarily be comparable. A regional hydrologic model could produce hydrographs to assess ecological responses to flow alteration consistently throughout the region.
The SALCC has subsequently funded The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the Research Triangle Institute to develop a regional hydrologic model. For more information about the SALCC hydrologic model, go to http://www.southatlanticlcc.org/group/riversandstreams/forum/topics/instream-flows-project-approved. RTI will use their new watershed modeling tool and decision-support platform. Their Watershed Flow and ALLocation (WaterFALL™; https://waterfall.rti.org/) system employs the Generalized Water Loading Function (GWLF) that has been modified to run on EPA’s enhanced National Hydrography Dataset (NHDPlus) hydrologic network . The model will produce daily stream flow hydrographs for stream segments in the SALCC region. Researchers, managers, and others will be able to obtain stream flow records for baseline, current, and future conditions for any period of record for stream segments of interest.
- Follow development of the SALCC water resources, such as the hydrologic foundation, on their website: [3]. Join the Rivers and Streams Group to participate in the discussions. For more information, contact Rua Mordecai, SALCC Science Coordinator, at Rua_Mordecai@fws.gov.
- Environmental Flow Allocation And Statistics Calculator (aka E-Flow Calculator) - a computer program that calculates hydrologic statistics based on a time series of daily streamflow values. EFASC will calculate statistics for daily streamflow in an input file or will generate synthetic daily flow series from an input file based on rules for allocating and protecting streamflow and then calculate statistics for the synthetic time series. ((http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1166/))
The project is funded by the SALCC and GCPLCC.
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Regional Aquatic Ecology Databases
UPDATED August 16, 2012
Rationale and Integration
A critical step in developing instream flow standards is to demonstrate ecological responses to alterations in the flow regime. Limits to flow alterations can then be set based on acceptable levels of ecological impacts. While flow regimes can be quantified (see Regional Hydrologic Foundation above), ecological information about riverine biota, geomorphology, water quality, and other processes is widely scattered, inconsistent, and difficult to access relative to measures of flow alteration. A compilation of regional ecological data sets provides information to form and test flow-ecology hypotheses, as well as allows the identification of information gaps and development of guidelines to improve the comparability of future study results. The ecological data compilation leverages and broadens the use of local information to support stronger flow-ecology relationships across classes of rivers.
Resource Description
Compilation of a regional database was conceived as a “Data Sprint” where fish community and other aquatic databases from the Southeast Aquatic Resource Partnership (SARP) states would be made accessible and updated routinely on a publicly accessible portal. All Southern states have databases for fish and macroinvertebrates that are collected for a variety of water resource programs. The development of the Multistate Aquatic Resource Information System (MARIS) facilitated the compilation of these various data sources with a standardized data template and existing portal that was vetted by the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.
MARIS is a platform hosted by the US Geological Survey to share existing state fisheries data across the US. The data are owned by the states, uploaded to a programmer and transformed into a common format that is geo-referenced for use with other programs such as water quality data, land use, ecoregions, etc. Data that can be incorporated into the database includes
• geo-referencing data, • event information such as sampling objectives (i.e. targeted, general), • collection gear, • total catch and • weight by species, • fish size and age tables, and • water quality characteristics.
Complete details on MARIS are available at http://www.marisdata.org/.
Fish community databases have been acquired from most SARP states and are either available via MARIS or will be uploaded to the MARIS system in the Fall of 2012 (See the Status figure). Other aquatic ecology data are being sought. See the Description figure for the types of data SARP currently has acquired.
The SALCC fish community databases have been compiled in an Excel spreadsheet and are available for downloading at the link below. Sampling locations are indicated on the map. The list of fish species that have been collected in this region is also available at the link below.
Information about viewing the fish sample location maps and accessing data from SARP is given at http://sifn.bse.vt.edu/sifnwiki/index.php/Main_Page#Maps_and_Data_Access.
If you have information that should be included in MARIS, contact Mary Davis (mary@southeastaquatics.net) for more information.
Related Resources
- Aquatic Database Compilation - Expert Review Process - Data acquisition and storage issues and decision-making process by the SIFN Aquatic Data Committees for the GCPLCC
- SALCC fish community data - Fish community data from VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, and FL in an Excel spreadsheet at File:Fish Data S. Atlantic States.xls
- Fish Species of the SALCC: a list of fish species sampled in the SALCC region is available at File:Complete Fish Species List.xls
Funding for this work is provided by the SALCC and GCPLCC.
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River Classification Framework
Updated October 15, 2012
Rationale and Integration
The use of limited ecological data can be extended with the assumption that ecosystems with similar streamflow attributes and geomorphic characteristics respond similarly to flow alteration. A regional river classification system allows states and other water resource managers to supplement their own limited data for flow-ecology relationships with information from other areas. To support instream flow standards, a classification system for southern aquatic ecosystems is needed that is based initially on ecologically-relevant streamflow characteristics. It should support subclassifications based on other factors that influence how biota respond to hydrologic alteration, such as water temperature and channel form and materials. Ideally such a river classification system could be integrated with similar classification efforts in other areas and the national data being developed under the National Fish Habitat Partnership. In addition, the river classification framework will inform the selection of aquatic conservation priority areas by ensuring that a representative range of southern rivers are identified.
Resource Description
The SARP River Classification Framework provides consistent categories of ecologically relevant attributes for streams and rivers across the region at the NHD+ segment scale. The attributes that are currently available include (see File:SARP River Classes.pdf for descriptions of size and gradient classes)
- stream size: by basin area and mean annual flow
Example SARP River Classification map: Size class based on basin area.
- gradient: by average segment slope
- EPA Level 3 Ecoregion,
- Freshwater Ecoregion, and
- Ecological Drainage Units.
Development of the SARP river classification framework is an ongoing effort to improve and expand the utility of this resource. Classification of pH, stream temperature, and hydrology will be performed in the fall of 2012 for eastern states of the SARP region (WV, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, TN, and KY). Hydrologic classification has been identified as a priority research need for the GCPLCC region (OK. TX, and LA). See the link below to the "River Classification - Expert Review Process" for a summary of the webinar series used to obtain expert reviews of this resource in the SALCC and GCPLCC.
Information about viewing river classification maps and accessing data from SARP is given at http://sifn.bse.vt.edu/sifnwiki/index.php/Main_Page#Maps_and_Data_Access.
Related Resources
- River Classification - Expert Review Process - Mapping issues and decision-making process by the SIFN River Classification Committees for the SALCC and GCPLCC
- River Classification - Research Needs - A list of research needs to improve the regional river classification framework
- SIFN River Classification - An overview of river classification approaches by John Faustini (USFWS)
- Visit the SIFN website for workshop (SIFN 2009 workshop) and webinar presentations on regional and national river classification efforts [4]
- See Apse et al. 2008 for a discussion of current river classification efforts [5]
Funding for this work is provided by the Department of Interior, South Atlantic (SALCC) and Gulf Coast Prairie (GCPLCC) Landscape Conservation Cooperatives
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Flow Alteration Assessment
UPDATED August 16, 2012
Rationale and Integration
Given the complexity of aquatic ecosystems and the myriad flow-ecology relationships, there is a need to focus limited research resources. Flow regime components need to be identified that are most likely to be altered under common influences in the southern landscape, including water consumption, dams, and impervious surfaces. Components of the aquatic ecosystems most sensitive to these flow alterations can then be identified and relevant ecological data compiled. Identification of the most common flow alterations will help focus the development and testing of scientific hypotheses on the flow conditions that can be managed by instream flow standards in water management planning and regulatory programs. An understanding of the location, type, and degree of risk of impact from various sources of flow alterations helps to identify the aquatic conservation priorities most at risk by flow alteration. In addition, the assessment provides a benchmark (a target baseline) for evaluating progress toward target achievement for the objective listed in SARPs Southeastern Aquatic Habitat Plan as well as help direct regulatory, management, and research interests on the more pervasive and detrimental activities affecting flows in and the health of southern streams and rivers.
Resource Description
The SARP Flow Alteration Assessment provides a regional characterization of the distribution and risk of flow regime impairment by anthropogenic sources at the NHD+ segment scale. Risks of local and cumulative impacts to flow were estimated for
- Surface water-use by water use sector (Risk categories: ZERO - 0% mean annual flow depletion had no ecological impact, LOW - 0-10%, MEDIUM - 10-20%, and HIGH - >20%;
Example SARP Flow Alteration Assessment: Risk of flow alteration from impervious surfaces.
- Evaporative loss from reservoirs (Risk categories: ZERO - 0% land covered by artificial water bodies, LOW - 0-2%, MEDIUM - 2-5%, HIGH - >5%); and
- Runoff from impervious surfaces (Risk categories: ZERO - 0% land covered by impervious surface, LOW - <5%, MEDIUM - 5-20%, and HIGH - >20%).
Methods for this assessment are outlined in the "SIFN Sources and Measures of Flow Alteration" report for the SALCC (See link below). See the link below to the "Flow Alteration Assessment - Expert Review Process" for a summary of the webinar series used to obtain expert reviews of this resource in the SALCC and GCPLCC.
The SARP Flow Alteration Assessment is an ongoing project to expand and improve the utility of the resource. Improved assessment of impacts of reservoirs on flow are planned due to the recent acquisition of new databases that link the National Inventory of Dams and smaller reservoirs to the national hydrology datasets. The SALCC regional aquatic experts identified the need to incorporate influences of groundwater use on surface flows. This research need has been included as a priority research need in the SALCC Instream Flow Research Plan. The GCPLCC Steering Committee has identified the need to translate the current maps of sources of flow alteration into maps of the ecologically significant components of the flow regime that are likely to be altered. The GCPLCC also prioritized including an assessment of the likely impacts of water use for hydraulic fracturing or 'fracking' for oil and gas production.
Information about viewing the flow alteration assessment maps and accessing data from SARP is given at http://sifn.bse.vt.edu/sifnwiki/index.php/Main_Page#Maps_and_Data_Access.
Related Resources
- Flow Alteration Assessment - Expert Review Process - Mapping issues and decision-making process by the SIFN Flow Alteration Committees for the SALCC and GCPLCC
- SIFN Sources & Measures of Flow Alteration - Main report for the SALCC with project objectives, GIS spatial analysis methods, and supporting information File:SALCC Flow Alteration Assessment Final.pdf
- SALCC Flow Alteration Report: Appendices A-D - File:SALCC Flow Alteration APPENDIces A D.pdf
- SALCC Flow Alteration Report: Appendix E - File:SALCC Flow Alt Appendix E.pdf
- Flow Alteration Assessment - Research Needs - Research topics to improve the flow alteration assessment
Funding for this work is provided by the SALCC and GCPLCC.
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Southeastern Aquatic Conservation Priority Areas
UPDATED March 13, 2013
Rationale and Integration
Our limited financial and expert resources need to be utilized where they will best meet the needs of regional aquatic resource managers. By identifying priority areas for conservation, we can focus our work on instream flows to where it will be utilized and most productive.
Resource Description
Maps of priority conservation areas were obtained for DOI and USFS protected lands, state wildlife action plans, SARP regional threat assessment maps, TNC ecoregional portfolios (see map on left), and others. Conservation status was assigned to NHD+ river segments.
Information about viewing the aquatic conservation area maps and accessing data from SARP is given at http://sifn.bse.vt.edu/sifnwiki/index.php/Main_Page#Maps_and_Data_Access.
The Aquatic Conservation Area report to the SALCC documents attempts to designate a single set of priority areas from these resources (see link below). Due to inconsistencies in the objectives and methods used to designate priority areas among states and other groups, the effort was not successful for the SALCC. Learning from this experience, a different approach will be taken for the GCPLCC project area. Methodologies to prioritize aquatic conservation areas will be reviewed and the most appropriate applied to LA, TX, and OK.
Related Resources
- Priority Aquatic Conservation Area - Expert Review Process - Track issues and decisions made by the SIFN Aquatic Conservation Area Committees for the GCPLCC
- Aquatic Conservation Areas - Report to the SALCC File:SALCC Aquatic Conservaton Priorities.pdf
This project was funded by the SALCC and GCPLCC.
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Flow-Ecology Literature Compilation
UPDATED February 13, 2013
Rationale and Integration
As an important part of the process of developing and substantiating flow-ecology relationships, we rely on the peer-reviewed and gray literature. The flow-ecology literature can provide
- evidence for relationships being developed using an expert-driven process,
- quantitative studies of ecological responses to flow alteration, and
- study designs and other information to help inform and advance instream flow science.
SARP is managing a flow-ecology literature database using Mendeley, a free and public-access bibliographic service (www.mendeley.com). We have gathered flow-ecology literature that is primarily focused on streams and rivers of the eastern US. This is a living resource. Instructions are given below about how to access the "SARP Flow-Ecology Literature" and contribute your own citations. We would appreciate your help to keep this database up to date and relevant.
We would like to acknowledge the primary contributors to this effort: Ryan McManamay (Oak Ridge National Laboratory), Eloise Kendy, Tara Moberg and Michele DePhilip (TNC), Emily Tracy-Smith (Missouri DNR), Robby Maxwell (Louisiana DWF), and Jason Taylor (Cornell).
Resource Description
You will find the “SARP Flow-Ecology Literature” group on the Mendeley website (www.mendeley.com). This is a very powerful tool for organizing your literature. If you are not already using something like this or EndNote, you may find this a very useful way to simplify your work. You will be able to access and query the 900+ citations we have collected that document ecological responses to flow alteration plus search the literature for whatever else you are interested in.
We would like to add your flow-ecology citations. We want peer-reviewed and gray literature and plan to update this at least annually to keep a current and widely available resource. Some of the citations are incorrect. We are correcting them and adding key words as we have time.
While you can add your citations to this directly, it is a public group. We have the same information in a private group that is managed by SARP. This private group has copies of many of the articles and reports in the database. These have limited distribution because of copyright restrictions. Contact Mary Davis at mary@southeastaquatics.net for membership to the private group and access to the publications. The two groups are synced. We request that you send your citations to Mary Davis with the articles or papers you may have in pdf formats in one of the following ways:
• Endnote users – Use the export instructions below to save your EndNote citations in a format that can be easily upload to Mendeley.
1. In EndNote, select the references that you want to import into Mendeley Desktop, and click File > Export...
2. In the window that appears, there is a box labeled 'Files of type:', in that box select 'XML (*.xml)'
3. Choose a name for the file and click the 'Save' button
• Copy PDF files to Dropbox if you have very many. DropBox is like the old ftp sites and is another handy tool for you. All you have to do is:
1. Download DropBox for free at https://www.dropbox.com/install
2. Make a new a folder from the command on the left side.
3. Drag and drop your PDF files into the folder.
4. Right click on the folder. Choose “DropBox”. and share it with Mary Davis (mary@southeastaquatics.net) when you are asked to invite someone.
• If you have only a few citations to share, copy the PDF files and send to me via email.
• Last resort: send me WORD or other documents with bibliographies. If we get support, we can have someone type these in.
Regional Flow-Ecology Hypotheses
UPDATED February 4, 2013
Rationale and Integration
A holistic suite of flow-ecology relationships demonstrating responses to a gradient of altered flow regimes in the region form the scientific basis for setting ecological limits of hydrologic alteration for streams and rivers. Very few of these relationships have been identified, however, which limits the ability of southern states to substantiate state instream flow standards and water management practices. The holistic suite of relationships developed for this effort should address all aspects of the ecosystem that are sensitive to flow alteration such as fish, macroinvertebrates, riparian vegetation, and other biota, as well as channel morphology, nutrient exchange, and other physical and chemical processes. Existing data from state agencies, academic research groups, and others will be used to substantiate and quantify these relationships. Information gaps will be identified.
An iterative process of developing hypothetical flow-ecology relationships to inform data synthesis and design of field studies will be established, which in turn will improve the flow-ecology relationships and the science supporting instream flow standards. The identification and prioritization of information gaps in the Research Agenda products will form the basis for a Research Plan that can guide future work and funding to most efficiently establish the scientific basis to protect instream flows in southern rivers.
Resource Description
GCPLCC Flow-Ecology Hypotheses - In 2012, as part of the GCPLCC Instream Flow project, a committee of aquatic experts from Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas was formed to develop flow-ecology hypotheses for their region. Using EPA Level III ecoregions, these experts examine existing ecological and hydrologic information to support these hypotheses. They will develop regional flow-ecology relationships to serve as support for state instream flow programs as well as identify research needs to fill information gaps. To track their progress and products, go to Flow-Ecology Hypotheses- Expert Review Process
SALCC Flow-Ecology Relationships - In 2011, SARP contracted with Ryan McManamay (now at Oak Ridge National Labortory), Don Orth (Virginia Tech), and John Kauffman (retired, VA DIF Fisheries Biologist) to find, review and summarize the flow-ecology literature in the South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative states. They went above and beyond and compiled literature for much of the SARP region. They demonstrated a consistent degradation of ecological condition in response to altered flow regimes in rivers of the South Atlantic states. Their report and ancillary products are available at SALCC Flow-Ecology Literature Review and Metadata Analysis.
Related Resources
Parallel to the SARP Southern Instream Flow Research Agenda, there are several state and river basin efforts to advance their instream flow science to support flow standards and water management decisions. The following are links to significant efforts for quantifying flow-ecology relationships:
- MIDDLE POTOMAC RIVER WATERSHED ASSESSMENT - Point of contact - Carlton Haywood at chaywood@icprb.org. For more information, go to: http://www.potomacriver.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=162&Itemid=117
- COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA - Points of Contact - Robert Burgholzer at Robert.Burgholzer@deq.virginia.gov and Judy Dunscomb at jdunscomb@tnc.org)
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MAPS AND DATABASE ACCESS
Updated August 15, 2012
To view the SALCC classification, flow alteration assessment, ecological and conservation priority maps, go to the map viewer. For information about other areas in the SARP region, contact Emily Granstaff at emilyw@southeasternaquatics.net.
- Map viewer tutorial - There is a lot of information on the mapper than can be tricky to access without some guidance. Emily Granstaff, the SARP GIS analyst, recorded a 20 minute webinar for you that goes through many of the basics of using the mapper. For example, you can find descriptions of the layers (also called services on the mapper) that explain the classification categories and risk levels for flow alteration. Please take a few minutes to view the presentation at http://www.sarpdata.net/videos/salccmapper/lib/playback.html. You will find it worth your time.
- Access to the spatial and ecological data - SARP GIS and ecological data are available in three levels of detail: PUBLIC data only has qualitative attributes for unrestricted use; EXPLORATORY data include qualitative and quanitative attributes with some restrictions on use; and RESEARCH data that include all attributues used to calculate intermediate and final attributes for restricted use. The SARP Data Request form below is available to access the data most appropriate for the intended use.
- SARP Data Request Form for EXPLORATORY and RESEARCH data - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGRWdmZjNzYzT0JvUE1HX3drMl9fSGc6MQ
- Download PUBLIC version of GIS data for the SALCC region - (The Data Dictionary is available at File:SALCC public data dictionary 5April2012.pdf)
ArcGIS 10 users (layer package): http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=99699e7fb39140afb24fdcf41982ef26 ArcGIS 9.3.1 or below users (zipped folder with layer file and shapefiles): http://www.tngis.org/temp/sarp/SALCC_instream_flow_93_download.zip
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OVERSIGHT OF LCC INSTREAM FLOW PROJECTS
Updated August 16, 2012
A fundamental concept behind the Southern Instream Flow Resarch Agenda is the involvement of regional aquatic experts in the oversight of the development and review of the instream flow resources and research plans. These experts have been brought into this process in a number of ways. Much of the work has been contracted out to various experts, as described in the product descriptions above. Expert review committees are comprised of regional and national experts that help ensure that the products are technically correct and achieve what was intended. Local experts, often from state resource agencies, help ensure that the products that pass review of the expert review committees truly represent the ecologically significant conditions in their area. Once the major work under the research agenda is completed for a SARP subregion (e.g., for the SALCC), these participants will serve as a body of experts that are well versed in the issues of flow-ecology relationships and the supporting information that is now available for their area. They can help guide future work towards the priority research topics that will advance instream flow science in their area. Progress and decisions of these participants are documented in the priority research product sections above.
Due to the structure of funding sources, the work under the Southern Instream Flow Research Agenda is being accomplished in parallel efforts in various SARP subregions. SARP provides some funding for the Southern Instream Flow Network from a Multistate Conservation Grant from the Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA). The majority of funding for the Research Agenda is from the Department of Interior Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) programs. SIFN Steering Committees will be established in each subregion to guide this work towards useful and technically sound products. The progress and decisions of each Instream Flow Steering Committee are documented in the pages with links below.
- South Atlantic LCC Instream Flow Steering Committee
Landscape Conservation Cooperatives
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INSTREAM FLOW POLICY: An Overview of Southeastern US State Programs and Policies
Protection of instream flows is a complex problem involving policy, science, and many stakeholders. There are myriad terms, approaches, and program structures in use in states which provide various levels of effective instream flow protection for their rivers, lakes, wetlands, and aquifers. Information is not centralized for state agencies and other practitioners to research easily when developing new programs or improving their existing programs. The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of the main issues that need to be considered when developing an instream flow program and provide examples from other states.
The structure of this document is a primer of the main issues with examples, references and links for more information. It starts with basic information about the ecological value of natural flow regimes in streams, then lays out state instream flow program components, including the legal structure, water management plans, and finances necessary to support effective protection programs. The science behind instream flow protection is dealt with in a companion document.
This document is intended to be a living and growing resource. The text is not meant to be an exhaustive treatment of instream flow policy issues. Rather, it is intended to serve as a framework to organize topics and direct the user to resources of various types for more in-depth information. Users are encouraged to contribute text and other resources to improve and enlarge this document. The focus is on the Southern U.S., but information from other areas is included as case studies and resources. It should serve as an up-to-date resource for anyone interested in instream flow policies and programs. Once reviewed and vetted by SIFN membership, this document will serve as the basis for the technical resources on the SIFN website.
- Go to the Instream Flow Protection Policy Document
INSTREAM FLOW POLICY DOCUMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION
2 FLOWS AND AQUATIC RESOURCES
2.1 Natural Flow Regimes: Values and Threats
2.2 Instream versus Environmental Flows: What is the Difference?
2.3 Additional Information About Instream Flows
3 FLOW MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS AND ISSUES
3.1 Regulated Riparian versus Prior-appropriation Water Law
3.2 Instream Flow Criteria versus Water Allocation Permit Limits
3.3 Flow Criteria for Water Quality Standards versus Water Allocation
3.4 Incentive versus Regulatory Water Management Approaches
3.5 Management of Surface versus Ground Water Resources
4 INSTREAM FLOW PROGRAMS
4.1 Overview
4.2 Goals
4.3 Structure
5 DEVELOPING INSTREAM FLOW CRITERIA
5.1 Which hydrologic measures do we choose?
5.1.1 Limit the amount of withdrawals
5.1.2 Set minimum amount to remain in the river
5.2 What Ecological Conditions Do We Consider?
5.3 How do we determine the thresholds for the criteria?
5.4 How protective are the criteria?
5.4.1 Scale
5.4.2 Science-based Information
5.4.3 Priority Water Resources
6 USING INSTREAM FLOW CRITERIA IN PERMITS
6.1 Water Withdrawal Permits
6.1.1 Pass-by Flows
6.1.2 Pour Points
6.2 Permits for Reservoir Operations
7 PHASED APPROACH TO PROTECTION OF INSTREAM FLOWS
8 LEGAL MANDATE
8.1 Public Trust Doctrine
9 LITERATURE CITED
- To visit the SIFN website for downloadable documents, figures and tables referenced in this document, click here [6]
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TOOLS
UPDATED November 5, 2011
Rationale and Integration
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