'Characterizing Streamflow and Temperature Patterns on the Blacksmith Fork River to Prevent Summer Channel Dewatering'
Poster |
Poster: |
Water supply in the Intermountain West is increasingly limited and uncertain due to climate change as well as growing and shifting demands. Agriculture is the largest water user across the Intermountain West. In agriculture dominated streams, irrigation diversions can drive extremely low baseflows or full channel dewatering during the growing season. Summer dewatering is occurring more frequently and for longer periods, which drives changes in streamflow and temperature patterns that negatively impact fish and other aquatic species. Additionally, there is mounting societal interest in instream flows to support recreation, aquatic species, and aesthetic value. A case study of the Blacksmith Fork River in northern Utah demonstrates opportunities and challenges to improve instream water management. This study characterizes streamflow and temperature patterns through a dry summer and develops quantitative relationships between streamflow and temperature in space and time to inform instream flow management efforts. The study area was heavily instrumented to collect temperature, streamflow, and aquatic macroinvertebrate data. The significance of antecedent climate conditions, surface water – groundwater interactions, and canal diversions is assessed. This study informs both local and regional water management efforts to maintain healthy river ecosystems and avoid dewatering while continuing to support irrigated agriculture. |
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