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    A Quick Lesson On Environmental Flows: Limits

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    International Rivers
    This document discusses environmental flows, which are water flows maintained within a river system to support its ecosystem. Environmental flows can support uses like fishing, farming, drinking water, grazing, pollution control and endangered species. Setting environmental flows involves determining the natural flow patterns of a water system and simulating specific flows that support ecological processes. There are now over 200 methods from over 40 countries to set environmental flows, ranging from simple minimum flow levels to more holistic approaches. Effectively implementing environmental flows requires commitment from governments and stakeholders, sufficient resources, training, and involving stakeholders throughout the process.

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    A Quick Lesson On Environmental Flows: Limits

    Uploaded by

    International Rivers
    65 views4 pages
    This document discusses environmental flows, which are water flows maintained within a river system to support its ecosystem. Environmental flows can support uses like fishing, farming, drinking water, grazing, pollution control and endangered species. Setting environmental flows involves determining the natural flow patterns of a water system and simulating specific flows that support ecological processes. There are now over 200 methods from over 40 countries to set environmental flows, ranging from simple minimum flow levels to more holistic approaches. Effectively implementing environmental flows requires commitment from governments and stakeholders, sufficient resources, training, and involving stakeholders throughout the process.

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    A quick lesson on environmental flows

    Original Title

    Environmental Flows2

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    This document discusses environmental flows, which are water flows maintained within a river system to support its ecosystem. Environmental flows can support uses like fishing, farming, drinking water, grazing, pollution control and endangered species. Setting environmental flows involves determining the natural flow patterns of a water system and simulating specific flows that support ecological processes. There are now over 200 methods from over 40 countries to set environmental flows, ranging from simple minimum flow levels to more holistic approaches. Effectively implementing environmental flows requires commitment from governments and stakeholders, sufficient resources, training, and involving stakeholders throughout the process.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    65 views4 pages

    A Quick Lesson On Environmental Flows: Limits

    Uploaded by

    International Rivers
    This document discusses environmental flows, which are water flows maintained within a river system to support its ecosystem. Environmental flows can support uses like fishing, farming, drinking water, grazing, pollution control and endangered species. Setting environmental flows involves determining the natural flow patterns of a water system and simulating specific flows that support ecological processes. There are now over 200 methods from over 40 countries to set environmental flows, ranging from simple minimum flow levels to more holistic approaches. Effectively implementing environmental flows requires commitment from governments and stakeholders, sufficient resources, training, and involving stakeholders throughout the process.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    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
    Grazing
    Grazing Land
    Pollution Control
    Navigation

    Endangered Species

    Cultural & Spiritual Values
    Water systems have to how much
    they 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 flows
    support certain ecological processes. These flows can be
    simulated using environmental flows.
    There now exist over methods to set
    environmental flows from over countries
    200
    40
    Simplest Most Holistic
    Large Flood
    Fish Spawning
    Examples of Important Flows
    Habitat for
    Aquatic Species
    Low Flows
    Water for Livestock
    New Sediment
    Set minimum
    flow levels.
    Provide flows
    mimicking natural
    flow variability
    Integrated
    consideration of
    socio-economic
    factors
    Environmental flows can be provided at
    increasingly comprehensive levels
    A COMPLEX PROCESS . . .
    Whether or not environmental
    flows are provided is ultimately
    decided by societal priorities,
    and often political realities.
    Transforming environmental flow studies
    and policies into action is not easy.
    Important factors for effective
    Commitment from governments and stakeholders
    Sufficient resources
    Training and institutional capacity to manage water
    resources

    Important factors for effective
    environmental flow processes include:
    RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
    PRACTITIONERS
    Start the process as
    early as possible!
    Set clear goals for
    the eflows policy.
    Conduct activities suitable
    to the resources and
    capacity available.
    Involve stakeholders in all stages
    of the process.
    Make sure all participants
    understand the term
    "environmental flows"
    and associated concepts.
    Consider the whole
    hydrological cycle.
    Secure reliable
    funding for
    activities.
    Make the links between environmental variables and socio-
    economic consequences clear.
    Write environmental flows
    into policies and legislation
    to give them legal standing.
    Acknowledge that provision
    of environmental flows is a
    long-term commitment.
    Demonstrate the benefits from environmental flows after they
    are 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: River
    Research 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 ect
    and 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

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