Decision support tool seeks to aid stream-flow recovery and enhance water security
In many parts of coastal California, agricultural water needs during the summer are met by tapping riparian and groundwater resources, which has led to documented decreases in stream flow during the dry season. This has consequences for salmon, including sudden drying of h...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
2008-05-01
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| Series: | California Agriculture |
| Online Access: | http://calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?article=ca.v062n04p148 |
| Summary: | In many parts of coastal California, agricultural water needs during the summer are
met by tapping riparian and groundwater resources, which has led to documented decreases
in stream flow during the dry season. This has consequences for salmon, including
sudden drying of habitat, higher water temperatures and changes in the invertebrate
prey base. We developed a new, spatially explicit analytical tool to quantify and
map human and environmental needs, model daily stream-flow rates, and estimate regulatory
flow requirements and cumulative impacts of reservoirs. This tool is part of a decision
support system that can be integrated in a Geographic Information System (GIS) with
other restoration considerations. This research provides a basis for placing additional
reservoir storage where projects are not likely to affect adult salmon passage, while
reducing water demand from surface and subsurface flows during spring and summer,
ultimately improving both habitat for salmonids and water supply for growers. |
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| ISSN: | 0008-0845 2160-8091 |