Title:
Recommended Flows to Protect Aquatic Habitat in Georgia Streams
Recommended Flows to Protect Aquatic Habitat in Georgia Streams
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Author(s)
Evans, James W.
England, Russell H.
England, Russell H.
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Hatcher, Kathryn J.
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Abstract
Rising demand for surface water withdrawals
to support a rapidly growing population prompted us to
compare Georgia's current method of protecting stream flows
below permitted withdrawals with other methods considered
adequate by fisheries professionals for protecting aquatic
habitat. U.S. Geological Survey stream gage records from 31
widely-distributed sites were analyzed for broadly applicable
relationships among parameters such as average annual flow,
mean monthly flow, and 7Q10 flow, in order to define a flow
policy that would preserve good habitat quality for most
aquatic organisms. These analyses, coupled with a thorough
literature review, were used to develop higher flow
recommendations that were submitted to the State
Environmental Protection Division for replacing the current
policy that reserves only the 7Q10 flow (the lowest average
flow expected for seven consecutive days with an average
frequency of once in ten years).
Sponsor
Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology
Date Issued
1997-03
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Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings