Author(s): D. D. Carpenter; K. W. Watson; D. Mades; L. Yang
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Abstract: Minimum flows and levels (MFLs), required by Florida statute, are hydrologic limits at which further withdrawals of water from a river, lake or aquifer would be deemed “significantly harmful” to the water resources or ecology of an area. Florida law directs Water Management Districts to consider whether proposed MFLs are protective of ten water resource values (WRVs). For each WRV, frequency analysis is used to compare the return intervals of one or more key hydrologic events under a long-term baseline condition with the return intervals of those same events under existing conditions (not necessarily baseline conditions) and the proposed withdrawal scenario (s). This paper discusses the analytical process (including graphical and statistical analysis) associated with evaluating WRV protection with regards to several WRVs associated with ecological and geomorphic health including detrital transfer, sediment transport, filtration and absorption of nutrients, and water quality.
Year: 2009