Instream flow needs to protect fishery resources
Conference
·
OSTI ID:5056415
Numerous methods have been developed over the past several decades to assess the effects of flow regulation on fishery resources and to provide a basis for the determination of suitable instream flow regimes to protect these resources. Many of these methods rely on historical flow records without considering the specific requirements of aquatic biota. Such methods are inflexible, are difficult to defend from an ecological basis, and offer no opportunity for the type of trade-off analysis necessary in water resource development today. Even state of the art methods that can quantify changes in physical habitat as a function of streamflow may be inadequate because they do not consider other (biological) variables that may be significant determinants of population abundance. Future research must emphasize the role of all factors that limit population size if we are to be successful in including hydrologic parameters in fish production models. Although some methods are adequate for determining minimum flows needed to maintain existing habitat condition, no method is currently capable of adequately predicting responses of fish population to flow modifications. Selection of an appropriate method for evaluating potential impacts of water development projects must consider (1) limitations of the various methods, (2) project design and operation, and (3) status of the fishery resources and current management objectives.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA). Environmental Sciences Div.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 5056415
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8608120-1; ON: DE87000026
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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