ecosystems are diverse (e.g. Carlisle 2011). The composition of species in riverine et al., ecosystems often changes following the commissioning of dams with large storage capacities that regulate high- and low-flow extremes (e.g., Poff 2007; Mims and Olden, 2013). et al., Prescribing operating rules that sustain pre-dam ecosystems has become an increasingly recognized challenge, especially when flow manipulation benefits off-stream human interests (e.g., Cardwell 1996; Suen and Eheart, 2006; Poff 2009). Short streamflow records et al., et al., make it more difficult to determine whether ecosystem changes are due to dam impacts or natural variability (e.g. Kennard 2010; Nikghalb 2016). Moreover, there are few guidelines et al., et al., for incorporating uncertainty stemming from short streamflow records into these tradeoffs. Streamflow has been identified as the primary driver in riverine ecosystems (Power et al., 1995; Walker 1995) since it influences ecological conditions through changes in velocity, et al, depth, temperature, water quality and substrate (e.g. Poff 1997; Jager, 2014; McManamay et al. 2015). Indeed, many interconnections between streamflow and habitat conditions are et al., indirect, which can moderate any apparent correlation between hydrologic alteration and ecological responses (e.g. Jager, 2014; McManamay, 2015). Yet, the availability of streamflow data relative to other proximate indicators of ecological degradation has generated tremendous interest in characterizing ecological responses to flow alteration, including reviews by Poff and Zimmerman (2010) and Webb (2013). Flow-based approaches to managing environmental et al. flows can also be implemented in data-poor regions where hydrologic and ecological monitoring can be more challenging (McKay, 2015; Lamouroux, 2015; Eriyagama 2016). Institutions et al., representing ecological interests, such as The Nature Conservancy, have recently promoted expert-elicited flow-ecology relationships in stakeholder negotiations (e.g., Kendy 2012; et al., Steinschneider 2015). In this paper, we introduce a tool suited for assessing impacts to et al.,
ecosystems are diverse (e.g. Carlisle et al., 2011). The composition of species in riverine ecosystems often changes following the commissioning of dams with large storage capacities that regulate high- and low-flow extremes (e.g., Poff et al., 2007; Mims and Olden, 2013). Prescribing operating rules that sustain pre-dam ecosystems has become an increasingly recognized challenge, especially when flow manipulation benefits off-stream human interests (e.g., Cardwell et al., 1996; Suen and Eheart, 2006; Poff et al., 2009). Short streamflow records make it more difficult to determine whether ecosystem changes are due to dam impacts or natural variability (e.g. Kennard et al., 2010; Nikghalb et al., 2016). Moreover, there are few guidelines for incorporating uncertainty stemming from short streamflow records into these tradeoffs. Streamflow has been identified as the primary driver in riverine ecosystems (Power et al., 1995; Walker et al, 1995) since it influences ecological conditions through changes in velocity, depth, temperature, water quality and substrate (e.g. Poff et al. 1997; Jager, 2014; McManamay et al., 2015). Indeed, many interconnections between streamflow and habitat conditions are indirect, which can moderate any apparent correlation between hydrologic alteration and ecological responses (e.g. Jager, 2014; McManamay, 2015). Yet, the availability of streamflow data relative to other proximate indicators of ecological degradation has generated tremendous interest in characterizing ecological responses to flow alteration, including reviews by Poff and Zimmerman (2010) and Webb et al. (2013). Flow-based approaches to managing environmental flows can also be implemented in data-poor regions where hydrologic and ecological monitoring can be more challenging (McKay, 2015; Lamouroux, 2015; Eriyagama et al., 2016). Institutions representing ecological interests, such as The Nature Conservancy, have recently promoted expert-elicited flow-ecology relationships in stakeholder negotiations (e.g., Kendy et al., 2012; Steinschneider et al., 2015). In this paper, we introduce a tool suited for assessing impacts to
jhecht_hydropower_flow_alteration_decisions_for_hrf.docx