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