Modeling functional flows in California rivers
Frontiers in Environmental Science
By: Theodore E. Grantham, Daren Carlisle, Jeanette K. Howard, Belize Lane, Robert Lusardi, Alyssa Obester, Samuel Sandoval-Solis, Bronwen Stanford, Eric D. Stein, Kristine T. Taniguchi-Quan, Sarah M. Yarnell, and Julie K. H Zimmerman
Edited by: Albert Chakona
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Data Release: USGS data release - Functional Flow Metrics for Select Reference Sites in California: Data Release for Modeling
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Environmental flows are critical to the recovery and conservation of freshwater ecosystems worldwide. However, estimating
desired ranges of environmental flows across large, diverse landscapes is challenging. To advance protections of environmental flows for streams in California, USA, we developed a statewide modeling approach focused on functional components of the natural flow regime. Functional flow components in California streams—fall pulse flows, wet season peak flows and base flows, the spring flow recession, and dry season baseflows—support essential physical and ecological processes in riverine ecosystems. These functional flow components can be represented by functional flow metrics (FFMs) and quantified by their magnitude, timing, frequency, duration, and rate-of-change from daily streamflow records. After quantifying FFMs at reference-quality streamflow gages in California, we used machine-learning methods to estimate their natural range of values for all stream reaches in the state based on physical watershed characteristics and climatic factors. We found that the models performed well in predicting FFMs in streams across a diversity of landscape and climate contexts, according to several model performance criteria. Using the predicted FFM values, we established initial estimates of ecological flows that are expected to support critical functions and are broadly protective of ecosystem health. Modeling functional flows statewide offers a pathway for increasing the pace and scale of environmental flow protections in California and beyond.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Modeling functional flows in California rivers |
| Series title | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| DOI | 10.3389/fenvs.2022.787473 |
| Volume | 10 |
| Year Published | 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| Contributing office(s) | WMA - Earth System Processes Division |
| Description | 787473, 11 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |