SARP_River_Classification_Framework

SARP: River Classification Framework
NC Environmental Flow Science Advisory Board
April 16, 2013
Mary M. Davis, Ph.D.
Southern Instream Flow Network
Southern Instream Flow Network
Purpose - To facilitate
protective instream flow
policies and practices in
15 southern states by
providing science-based
resources and opening
lines of communication.
More information at:
www.southeastaquatics.net/programs/sifn/

Presentation Overview
1.Present SARP River Classification Framework
for the South Atlantic Landscape
Conservation Cooperative (SALCC) region

2.Review uses of classification
SARP River Classification Framework
Objectives
•Characterize streams by ecologically relevant characteristics

•Provide common terms for describing rivers across the region

•Support development of flow-ecology relationships
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Hydrologic alteration
Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA)
http://conserveonline.org/workspaces/eloha
(Poff et al. 2010)
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Hydrologic alteration
Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA)
http://conserveonline.org/workspaces/eloha
(Poff et al. 2010)
SARP River Classification Framework
Geomorphic Sub-Classifications
Stream Gradient Ecoregions
•EPA Level III
•Freshwater
•EDU
Stream Temperature Size (basin area and MAF)
SARP River Classification Framework
Geomorphic Sub-Classifications (cont.)
Base Flow Index Soils
•Available water capacity
•Soil organic carbon
•% Sand, Silt, and Clay
Bedrock Geology Landforms Land Uses
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Hydrologic alteration
Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA)
http://conserveonline.org/workspaces/eloha
(Poff et al. 2010)

SARP Hydrologic Classification Framework
for SALCC region
1.Size –
•Headwater,
•Creek,
•Small R.,
•Medium R.,
•Large R.,
•Great R.

2.Variability – (median annual std deviation/mean flow)
•Very low,
•Low,
•Medium-High
SARP River Classification Framework
Stream Size Class(by basin area)
Size
Class Description
Definition:
Upstream
Drainage
Area (sq.mi.)
Definition:
Upstream
Drainage
Area (sq.km)
Definition: Mean
Annual Flow
(cfs)
1a Headwaters 0<3.861 0<10 <= 10
1b Creeks >=3.861<38.61 >=10 < 100 >10 - 75
2 Small Rivers >= 38.61<200 >=100 < 518 >75 - 400
3a
Medium Tributary
Rivers >=200<1000 >= 518 - 2590 >400 - 2,000
3b
Medium Mainstem
Rivers >=1000<3861
>= 2590 <
10,000 >2,000 - 6,000
4 Large Rivers >=3861<9653
>=10,000 -
25,000 >6,000 - 20,000
5 Great Rivers >=9653 >= 25,000 >20,000
Of 75 predictor variables, the most important variables were:
•mean baseflow index
•stream size
•cumulative drainage area and
•run-off coefficient.
Predict Flow Variability Class for Ungaged Locations

The modeling work consisted of four major steps.
1.Compile set of gages, assign hydrologic class, and link them to
the appropriate NHDPlusreach
2.Attribute each stream reach and gage with GIS predictor
variables
3.Build random forest (RF) classification models using the
randomForest package in in R
4.Apply the best RF model to each stream reach and map each
stream reach according to the “highest probability” class.
SARP River Classification Framework
Flow Variability Class (Median daily variability)
SARP River Classification Framework
Flow Variability Class (Median % variability)
Use of the SARP River Classification Framework
River Class: EPA Level III Ecoregion
Use of the SARP River Classification Framework
River Class: Size within EPA Level III Ecoregion
Use of the SARP River Classification Framework
River Class: Flow Variability by Size within EPA Level III Ecoregion
Presentation Overview
1.Present SARP River Classification Framework for
the South Atlantic Landscape Conservation
Cooperative region

2.Review uses of classification –

When do you classify?
–Michigan
–Potomac River Commission

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Hydrologic alteration
Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA)
http://conserveonline.org/workspaces/eloha
(Poff et al. 2010)
Before analyses?
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Hydrologic alteration
Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA)
http://conserveonline.org/workspaces/eloha
(Poff et al. 2010)
Before analyses?
Or to inform
the analyses?
Summer temperature
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Cold fishes Warm fishes
Cold
Cold
transition
Warm
transition Warm
Michigan Instream Flow Standard Setting Process
•Used fish assemblage temperature preferences to classify
Michigan’s Instream Flow Standards by Class
Middle Potomac Watershed Assessment:
Environmental Flows
•Follows ELOHA framework

•Multistate watershed

•www.potomacriver.org
Slides courtesy of Carlton Haywood, PRC
Hydrologic Data
Middle Potomac – Biological Data
Flow-Ecology Relationships
Classification
Classification
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Hydrologic alteration
Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA)
http://conserveonline.org/workspaces/eloha
(Poff et al. 2010)
Before analyses?
Or to inform
the analyses?
The answer for when to classify seems to depend:
•Complexity of the system
•Parameters being analyses
•???

Since the answer is not clear, a safe approach is to
allow for exploration of both approaches and let the
rivers direct the results.
When to classify for flow-ecology relationships?