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Stream Flow Conference Sponsored by Riverways - Fish and Game April 29, 2005
Nature Conservancy
Glimpse of World through a Water Lens Sandra Postel- author, "Rivers Forever", chronicler of water scarcity and changes on Global scale Using Tomorrow's water to meet today's demand Huge competition for water bewteen people and ecosystems 2015- over 20 billion people or 40 % of the population will live in water-stressed areas
More than half wetlands lost in U.S.
Challenge is agricultural, food, security, health, political stability, etc.
Major Rivers shrinking and NOT reaching the sea: Colorado Rio Grande Ganges Nile Murry Darling, Australia Yellow River, china- 2nd largest in country Aral Sea- fourth largest- Shrinking rapidly
Major Cause is Overpumping groundwater throughout the world Especially in Middle East, west U.S., Iran and China
Another Mayor problem is dams from 1950 to today Dams are separated from functioning of river ecosystems and flood plains. 45,000 dams Tremendous loss of ecosystem surfaces. Spring water is held back and hurts downstream habitat.
Rivers bring nutrients, provide selenity balances, nourish aquatic life and support habitat conditions Mussels are good are purifying water and large numbers of species are at risk of extinction Half of American river systems are affected by dams 20 percent of fresh water fish are endangered from extinction --30 percent estimated by Nature Conservancy
Postel: Economics of fresh water natural resources estimated to be $8000 an acre. Natural Research Council has economic savings for water purification Required to take into account resources not priced in the market place Much value to fr.water ecosystems in a healthy state. Mass. Is far down on the list of states
Water Boundaries and Needs Need for 1) Ground Water recharge (can induce recharge from streams) 2) Modification of river watershed 3) Improving watershed degradation- protection of drinking water 4) Calculating how much water do we need Solutions 5) Build in ecosystem into dam improvements. (Army Corps did this on 13 rivers successfully including commercial) 6) Natural infrastructure rather than filtration plants 7) Caps on ground water pumping 8) Change from conventional agricultural irrigation to drip irrigation 9) Tightening up water supply systems (40% of loss due to leaks) 10) Reduce lawn watering and football fields and golf course watering- 50 % evidence of herbicides 11) River instream Flow monitors needed throughout
South Africa: Most progressive water policy in world 1) Establish water reserve for all people 2) Establish basic needs of ecosystems before commercial _________________________________________________ Ralph Abel- EPA
Healthy riffles (rock based flow movement) which are essential. Oxygenation is essential for invertebrates and macro-invertebrates which impacts the food chain. Examples are trout and cadis flies. Nests of eggs sedimented over do not hatch. The isolated river pools are not so good because fish cannot spawn. Fluvial specialists are needed. However, More macrohabitat generalists are employed. ________________________________________________ Todd Richards- Ma. Fish and Wildlife
Fish Habitat Conservation and Restoration Initiatives Habitat mapping sets priority for restoration (mainstems and larger tributaries) Indexes of Biotic Integrity are very important
Define Fish Community River Fish: Brook trout, fall fish, tessalated darter, shiner, etc. More Fluvial fish specialists needed Samples needed in flowing water Prioritize: Targeting fish communities
in progress in:
Fish Assessments must be: :1 ) long-lived 2 ) no single species but community 3) recognized identities
For tributary and small river: Estimate least impact Determine metics
Applications: 1) fish based water management plans 2) coldwater 3) designation 4) water qualith standared 5) usgs publication 6) standard wildlife grants 7) sustainable forestry 8) NFH1/EBT Joint venture 9) Natural fish habitat investment ________________________________________________________
Summary Habitat restoration is key to fish restoration Fish Sampling allows for assessment Fish habitat and restoration initiatives are essential
USGS- Natural Flow Regime of Rivers in Massachusetts Dave Armstrong- USGS for Mass. And Rhode Island- Water Science Center
Linda Hutchins- hydrologist-Dept. Conservation and Recreation 1999- Mass Waterh Resrouces Commission Charge: To identify stressed Basins by FLOW STRESS Vicki Garlant innovator and initiator- laid ground work for stream flow standards
2001- Comparing gages to one another: High/Medium/Low Every 7 days, 30 days, etc.
Important Evaluation 2004 Index gage study (used for entire state) Importance to have a standards USGS and EOEA working presently ondeveloping a standard
Need for conservation planning with water use planning By Assessments Public Hearings
Establish protection flows Protected determined entities
Bob Golledge- DEP Legal matters
70's Clean Water and Clean Air DEP - Importance of Enforcement Policy Themes- Can't make situation
worse Vital standards of agency which is fought for too strong and too weak enforcement. Standards for Mass. Are 65 gallons a day per person - Ma. One of first in country with flush toilets ___________________________________________________ Margaret Van Deusen
The Water Management Act was very good for sensitivity to impact of stream flow And exportation of water. Water Man. Act brings all waer problems together
Water Banking For every gallon of demand, two should be in the Basin. This is the way to get the storm water back in the ground.
With exportation of water and withdrawal, flow declines downstream Increased sewering and impervious surfaces - increase peak flows
Charles River Watershed Assoc.
FIND SOLUTIONS 60% of the water at Deer Island is Clean water. Waste of energy to clean clean water Keeping water in local area is critical Fluvial specialists needed Water supply and safety should trump other issues - not lawn watering By-Laws by conservation Commission should define and encourage low impact development
Wells should be regulated from ground water useage _________________________________________________________________________
Nature Conservancy
Flow is #1 Biodiverstiy is #1 Wetlands are #1 Technology gives lots of solutions
Peter Weiskell- Head of USGS- Head of Groundwater dept. Basics: Storm aquifer interaction is water rich Half of the recharged water goes to evapotranspiration The Base flow reflects the sustained flow of streams
Quashnet River- Mashpee Water discharge is highly affected by ground water recharge.
Streams gain ground water Pull water out of stream Depleting storage
Solutions Increased recharge Useage into phases with recharge Reduction streamwide wells Don't export water
Collins: Protecting Storm Flow Limits to hydrological alternatives Massive Threats to Biodiversity Changes in natural flows Inter/Intra variability - wet years and dry years
No Standards for defining environmental flows
1) Ecosystem health as whole 2) Best opportunity for natural flow 3) Spectrum of degradation from excellent to poor
Need to classify Rivers according to : Fish communities Flow Water quality
Breaking down flow regime: Into ecological flow comparisons Small flood, base flows,
Needed: Model of hydrograph
First establish a Biological Condition Gradient to develop hydrological criteria
Quantify flow components Ecological condition Minimum cyhange to biotic community Moderate change to biotic community
Start: Assess compliance with hydrological criteria Design protection strategy for Rivers meeting criteria Design restoration strategy for Rivers out of compliance
Desalination Plants: Todd Callahan- Coastal Zone Management If you can remove salt, you can remove bacteria. A possible principle of the plants. Pros and Cons were noted.
James Sturgios- Under Secretary of POLICY- EOEA "Fix it Fast" Already built environments - central focus of EOEA
Most controversial Policy Need to have economic growth Style of growth protects critical resources to protect that growth. Fixing infrastructure Restoration of critical water resources. Clear goals Storm water recharge How to work with localities: Municipal exchange of information Robust technical assistance is needed: Science : good information, good judgement Capital for storm water gaging!! Natural Stream Flows Higher gear over summer Develop hydrographs Clarity of deviation to goals Data gathering, identify water supplies Completed already 131 communities for these mechanisms and data collection
Importance of water banking Use water conservation standards Additional resources to wastewater recharge
Style of growth, reducing imperviouis surfaces Urban self-help grantsMEPA strengthening July 1st- Web presence will be at EOEA
Suggestions: Work with corporation Go after reasonable policy (achieveable) Water advocates must work with growth people Need 36,000 housig units Presently 7,000 Need 18,000 a year
Sometimes Doing growth in wrong way Chewing up a lot of land
Technical Assistance Grants to create town and city Conservation By-Laws. Pushing more work with watershed assumptions Push your agenda!!
Lance van Lenton- Herring Brook Scituate Importance of Streams Partnerships with Riverways Riffles Program important with Margaret Adopt a Stream with Rachel calabro Use marketing consultant
Housatonic River Problems can be solved Reduce export of water More water into groundwater - aquifer
Repair damaged stream beds Barriers to Success: Practical Water reuse- not accepted by towns Water restructuring and watrer rate hikes River is shared resource- no management Management of community growth- not integral with water protection
Ipswich Watershed Association- Kerry Mackin Advocacy
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