A decision support framework for water management in the Upper Delaware River

Bovee, Ken D.; Waddle, Terry J.; Bartholow, John M.; Burris, Lucy

doi:10.3133/ofr20071172

Cited by 14 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…before such an approach is undertaken. Finally, models such as those described here can be integrated into a more holistic decision support system (Bovee et al. , 2007) that would incorporate other taxonomic groups (fish, insects) to provide managers with a more complete analyses of management options and instream processes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat persistence for sedentary organisms in managed rivers: the case for the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon) in the Delaware River

et al. 2012

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Summary 1. To manage the environmental flow requirements of sedentary taxa, such as mussels and aquatic insects with fixed retreats, we need a measure of habitat availability over a variety of flows (i.e. a measure of persistent habitat). Habitat suitability measures in current environmental flow assessments are measured on a ‘flow by flow’ basis and thus are not appropriate for these taxa. Here, we present a novel measure of persistent habitat suitability for the dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon), listed as federally endangered in the U.S.A., in three reaches of the Delaware River. 2. We used a two‐dimensional hydrodynamic model to quantify suitable habitat over a range of flows based on modelled depth, velocity, Froude number, shear velocity and shear stress at three scales (individual mussel, mussel bed and reach). Baseline potentially persistent habitat was quantified as the sum of pixels that met all thresholds identified for these variables for flows ≥40 m3 s−1, and we calculated the loss of persistently suitable habitat by sequentially summing suitable habitat estimates at lower flows. We estimated the proportion of mussel beds exposed at each flow and the amount of change in the size of the mussel bed for one reach. 3. For two reaches, mussel beds occupied areas with lower velocity, shear velocity, shear stress and Froude number than the reach average at all flows. In the third reach, this was true only at higher flows. Together, these results indicate that beds were possible refuge areas from the effects of these hydrological parameters. Two reaches showed an increase in the amount of exposed mussel beds with decreasing flow. 4. Baseline potentially persistent habitat was less than half the areal extent of potentially suitable habitat, and it decreased with decreasing flow. Actually identified beds and modelled persistent habitat showed good spatial overlap, but identified beds occupied only a portion of the total modelled persistent habitat, indicating either that additional suitable habitat is available or the need to improve habitat criteria. At one site, persistent beds (beds where mussels were routinely collected) were located at sites with stable substratum, whereas marginal beds (beds where mussels were infrequently collected or that were lost following a large flood event) were located in scoured areas. 5. Taken together, these model results support a multifaceted approach, which incorporates the effects of low and high flow stressors, to quantify habitat suitability for mussels and other sedentary taxa. Models of persistent habitat can provide a more holistic environmental flow assessment of rivers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat persistence for sedentary organisms in managed rivers: the case for the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon) in the Delaware River

et al. 2012

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“…Calibration of the model is made through adjusting model parameters, such as roughness, mesh density and bed topography file. The model is rerun until reaching a reasonable match between the simulated and the observed profile of depth and average velocity at the calibrated discharge (Bovee et al, 2007). Rather than attempting to achieve an exact match, the preferred solution is to produce a 'best fit' between them with the least error.…”

Section: Hydraulic Models In River2dmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applying instream flow incremental method for the spawning habitat protection of Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis)

Ban

Liu

et al. 2011

River Research & Apps

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The Chinese sturgeon, Acipenser sinensis, is an anadromous species that spawns in the Yangtze River and Pearl River of China. Its population has declined dramatically since the construction of the Gezhouba Dam (GD) in 1981 and then with the impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) upstream of the GD in 2003. This paper presents a quantitative method based on the instream flow incremental method to explore the relationship between the fish spawning habitat and the operations of the GD and TGD, aiming to find a solution for conservation of the species. A two-dimensional hydrodynamic model was built with the River2D to simulate the hydraulic behaviour of the stream below the GD. Habitat suitability index was determined by the biological data of the fish collected in the field. The two parts were then integrated through a geographical information system developed via ArcGIS to outline the fish habitat area variation with flows. The decision support system is applied to set up a habitat time series for validating the assumption that more habitats have the potential to support more fish. The fish habitat results for alternative instream flow schemes are then compared with one another for defining the optimal flow requirements and evaluating effects of reservoir operation alternatives in order to improve the operation management for the GD and TGD projects. The results show that the optimal flow for spawning of the fish is about 7000-13000 m 3 /s and the optimal inlets combination is where the inflow comes from two power plants.

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“…Two core changes involve the conservation releases program and the addition of a discharge mitigation program to reduce flooding from reservoirs spills. The adaptive management provisions of the FFMP largely were made possible by the analysis of a new reservoir flow model, OASIS, developed by HydroLogics in 2004 at the request of the DRBC (Office of the Delaware River Master, 1996), a USGS fisheries habitat model (Bovee et al, 2007) and other research such as analyses conducted by a volunteer, ad hoc group of scientists, the Delaware River Releases Coalition.…”

Section: Flexible Flow Management Planmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptive management and governance of Delaware River water resources

Mandarano

Mason

2012

Water Policy

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This paper articulates the complexities of adaptively managing Delaware River water resources to meet shifting priorities of drinking water supply, drought mitigatioti and flood mitigation, as well as conflicting stakeholder interests. In particular, the paper examines the short-term and long-term programs that comprise the Delaware River Basin Commission's (DRBC) and the 1954 US Supreme Court Decree parties' successful adaptive management approach that seeks to balance the growing list of demands for water resources management, including drinking water supply, drought management, flood control and cold water fisheries protection. Review of the DRBC's adaptive governance approach reveals the critical complexities of designing experimental, yet sciencedriven management approaches and effectively engaging various sets of stakeholders in the associated decision-making processes.

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A decision support framework for water management in the Upper Delaware River

Cited by 14 publications

References 17 publications

Habitat persistence for sedentary organisms in managed rivers: the case for the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon) in the Delaware River

Habitat persistence for sedentary organisms in managed rivers: the case for the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon) in the Delaware River

Applying instream flow incremental method for the spawning habitat protection of Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis)

Adaptive management and governance of Delaware River water resources

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