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Virginia flow-ecology modeling results—An initial assessment of flow reduction effects on aquatic biota

Open-File Report 2017-1088
Prepared in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171088

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Background

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), reviewed a previously compiled set of linear regression models to assess their utility in defining the response of the aquatic biological community to streamflow depletion.

As part of the 2012 Virginia Healthy Watersheds Initiative (HWI) study conducted by Tetra Tech, Inc., for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Virginia DEQ, a database with computed values of 72 hydrologic metrics, or indicators of hydrologic alteration (IHA), 37 fish metrics, and 64 benthic invertebrate metrics was compiled and quality assured. Hydrologic alteration was represented by simulation of streamflow record for a pre-water-withdrawal condition (baseline) without dams or developed land, compared to the simulated recent-flow condition (2008 withdrawal simulation) including dams and altered landscape to calculate a percent alteration of flow. Biological samples representing the existing populations represent a range of alteration in the biological community today.

For this study, all 72 IHA metrics, which included more than 7,272 linear regression models, were considered. This extensive dataset provided the opportunity for hypothesis testing and prioritization of flow-ecology relations that have the potential to explain the effect(s) of hydrologic alteration on biological metrics in Virginia streams.

Suggested Citation

Rapp, J.L., and Reilly, P.A., 2017, Virginia flow-ecology modeling results—An initial assessment of flow reduction effects on aquatic biota: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2017–1088, 68 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171088.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Background
  • Objectives
  • Purpose and Scope
  • Study Area, Datasets, and Maps
  • Approach and Methods
  • Results
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Virginia flow-ecology modeling results—An initial assessment of flow reduction effects on aquatic biota
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2017-1088
DOI 10.3133/ofr20171088
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Virginia Water Science Center
Description 68 p.
Country United States
State Virginia
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details