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We Are in a Drought: The V iew from the Lower Flint River. (Better days). Kinchafoonee and Muckalee. Ichawaynochaway and Chickasawhatchee. Lower Flint. Spring. Area of Focus. Recharge Area Upper Floridan Aquifer. SW Georgia Hydrologic Cycle. Runoff = 7 inches/year. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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We Are in a Drought: The View from the Lower Flint River
(Better days)
Area of Focus
Spring
Ichawaynochaway and Chickasawhatchee
Lower Flint
Kinchafoonee andMuckalee Recharge Area
Upper FloridanAquifer
Rainfall = 52 inches/year
i
Runoff = 7 inches/year
Recharge = 10 inches/year
SW Georgia Hydrologic Cycle
Flint
ET = 35 inches/year
Upper Floridan Aquifer
Regional Water Use(2005)
- Largest use – irrigation ~ 300 Mgal/d (464 cfs) approximately 50% of total withdrawals
(Fanning, J.L. and Trent, V.P., 2009, Water Use in Georgia by County for 2005; and Water-Use Trends, 1980–2005: U.S. Geological Survey
Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5002)
Expansion of Irrigation
Data from: M. Masters, Flint River Water Planning and Policy Center, Albany State University.
Moisture Surplus
Moisture Deficit
Palmer Index for Southwestern GeorgiaJanuary 2010 - present
Data from NCDC, Georgia Region 7
Rainfall Trends
-Long term trend not apparent
- 1954 had least annual rainfall (29.6 in.)
Annual RainfallSouthwest GA
Year1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Ann
ual T
otal
(inc
hes)
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
19542011 YTD
Southwestern Georgia
1954 2000 2007
Drought History
Data from: NCDC, Georgia region 7
Drought Effects on Streams
Long Term Gauging Stations
Elmodel StationChickasawhatchee Creek
Milford StationIchawaynochaway Ck
Newton StationFlint River
Iron City StationSpring Creek
Ichawaynochaway Creek at Milford
MonthJun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Dis
char
ge (C
FS)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
201120077Q10 (reported)
Record low ~ 5 CFS (P)
Ichawaynochaway Ck
- loss of shoal habitat- barrier to fish passage- loss of bank habitat- diminished aeration-elevated stream temperatures
Stress to aquatic life
Spring Creek at Iron City
MonthJun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Dis
char
ge (C
FS)
0
20
40
60
80
100
20112007No flow (provisional)
Spring Creek
- exposure of wood- loss of assimilative capacity- loss of habitat- diminished aeration-elevated stream temperatures
- eutrophication and stagnation
Stress to aquatic lifeLoss of water purification
Chickasawhatchee Creek at Elmodel
MonthJun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Dis
char
ge (C
FS)
0
2
4
6
8
10
20112007No flow (provisional)
First record zero flow
Chickasawhatchee Creek
- First recorded zero flow (summer 2011)
- Loss of stream function
Flint River at Newton
MonthJun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Dis
char
ge (C
FS)
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
201120077Q10 (estimated)
Record low ~ 656 CFS (P)
Flint River- exposure of wood- reduced assimilative capacity- loss of habitat- loss of recreation
MusselsFat three-ridge (E)Chipola slabshell (T)Purple bankclimber (T)Shiny-rayed pocketbook (E)Gulf moccasinshell(E)Oval pigtoe (E)
FishGulf sturgeon (T)
Critical Habitat for the ACF
Endangered Species Act of 1973
“The Secretary shall, concurrently with a determination… that a species is an endangered species or a threatened species, designate any habitat of such species which is then considered to be critical habitat…” (ESA Section 4(a)(3)(A))
Critical Habitat Includes…
• Specific areas within or outside the geographical area occupied by the species when listed, on which are found those physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species.
• Except in special circumstances, critical habitat does not include the entire geographical area which could be occupied by the species. (Paraphrased from: ESA Section 3(5)(A-C))
Historical Mussel Declines in the Lower Flint
Muckalee Ck
Kinchafoonee Ck
Chickasawhatchee Ck
Spring CkMortality during the 2000 drought
Conclusions- Seasonal and extended droughts are common in southern Georgia- Recent droughts have resulted in lower stream low flows than those prior
to water resource development- The ecological effects of drought on streams are varied and include:
• Loss of important habitats• Loss of stream aeration and stagnation• Loss of fish passage• Stress or loss of aquatic life• Reduced assimilative capacity• Reduced recreational opportunities• Reduced water supply• Reduced stream health
- Record minimum flows were observed in the lower Flint River Basin during the summer of 2011