Environmental Flows
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Transcript of Environmental Flows
A Quick Lesson on
Definition: “Water that is left in a river system, or released into it, for the specific purpose
of managing the condition of that ecosystem.” (King et al. 2003)
Fishing
Farming
Drinking Water Supply GrazingGrazing Land
Pollution Control
Navigation Endangered Species Cultural & Spiritual Values
Water systems have to how muchthey can be altered before people who depend on
them lose the services that they provide . . .
Environmental Flows Can Support:
LIMITS
Environmental Flows
The Science
Water systems have natural patterns of flow. Specific flowssupport certain ecological processes. These flows can be
simulated using environmental flows.
There now exist over methods to setenvironmental flows from over countries
20040
Simplest Most Holistic
Large Flood
Fish Spawning
Examples of Important Flows
Habitat forAquatic Species
Low Flows
Water for LivestockNew Sediment
Set minimumflow levels.
Provide flowsmimicking natural
flow variability
Integratedconsideration ofsocio-economic
factors
Environmental flows can be provided atincreasingly comprehensive levels
A COMPLEX PROCESS . . .
Whether or not environmentalflows are provided is ultimatelydecided by societal priorities,and often political realities.
Transforming environmental flow studiesand policies into action is not easy.
Commitment from governments and stakeholders
Sufficient resources
Training and institutional capacity to manage waterresources
Important factors for effectiveenvironmental flow processes include:
RECOMMENDATIONS FORPRACTITIONERS
Start the process asearly as possible!
Set clear goals forthe eflows policy.
Conduct activities suitableto the resources andcapacity available.
Involve stakeholders in all stagesof the process.
Make sure all participantsunderstand the term"environmental flows"and associated concepts.
Consider the wholehydrological cycle.
Secure reliablefunding foractivities.
Make the links between environmental variables and socio-economic consequences clear.
Write environmental flowsinto policies and legislation to give them legal standing.
Acknowledge that provisionof environmental flows is along-term commitment.
Demonstrate the benefits from environmental flows after theyare implemented through monitoring and active management.
King, J., Brown, C., and Sabet , H., 2003, A scenario- based holist ic approach t o environment al f low assessment s f or rivers: RiverResearch and Applicat ions, v. 19, p. 619- 639.
Le Quesne, T., Kendy, E., and West on, D., 2010, The Implement at ion Challenge : Taking st ock of government policies t o prot ectand rest ore environment al f lows, World Wildlif e Fund and The Nat ure Conservancy.
Hirji, R., and Davis, R., 2009, Environment al Flows in Wat er Resources Policies, Plans, and Project s: Washingt on D.C., The World Bank.
www.int ernat ionalrivers.org
References