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Middle Potomac River Watershed Assessment Project

Middle Potomac River Watershed Assessment Project Request for Non Tidal Tributary Workgroup Review. Carlton Haywood 9 Feb 2011. Vision for Desired Environmental Outcome

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Middle Potomac River Watershed Assessment Project

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  1. Middle Potomac River Watershed Assessment Project Request for Non Tidal Tributary Workgroup Review Carlton Haywood 9 Feb 2011

  2. Vision for Desired Environmental Outcome • Maintaining flows adequate for sustainable* environmental and human uses of Potomac basin water resources • * “seasonally and inter-annually variable flow of water that sustains healthy river ecosystems and the goods and services that people derive from them”

  3. Project Objectives • Describe current and future human water uses and impacts on flows. • Identify environmental flow requirements. • Provide baseline information and analyses to support water use decision making.

  4. Project Team USA COE funded project The Nature Conservancy – Local cost share partner and participation in tasks ICPRB – Contracted to carry out tasks

  5. Project Analytical Tasks: Cumulative hydrologic impacts of surface and groundwater withdrawals and impoundments. Condition and flow requirements for the basin’s aquatic species and ecosystems. Effects of land use change and increased impervious surfaces on river flows. Effects of climate change on river flows. Projected changes to water demand in the basin (including consumptive use). Relationship between hydrologic alterations and species and ecosystem health.

  6. Conceptual Diagram of Project Analytical Approach

  7. Consultation with NTTW • Project started May 2009 • After two years of preparatory work, have finally reached the stage of determining the Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA), in which we relate change in flows (hydrologic alteration) to biological health. • 792 watersheds with simulated flow time series for seven scenarios (current, baseline, and five future alternatives) • All IHA and HIT flow statistics, plus others • 12 biometrics as health measures • Request ~ 2 hours time at NTTW April meeting to discuss methods and preliminary ELOHA results, and get NTTW feedback. • Request NTTW establish an ad hoc group that we will consult with in more depth between NTTW meetings. • Request time at NTTW Summer meeting to review refined ELOHA results.

  8. Additional Opportunities to Become Involved • Information on website: http://www.potomacriver.org/sustainableflows • Six webinars in preparation Mar. – Sep. • Watershed based water use planning • Water use projections • Modeling streamflows • Stream classification methodology and results • ELOHA methodology and results • Review of project in preparation for workshop • Workshop at NCTC, November 29-30, 2011. Begins with science results , proceeds to management implications.

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