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Chapter 1 Minimum Flows and Levels - Southwest Florida Water ...

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Because climatic variation can influence river flow regimes, long-term compliance<br />

st<strong>and</strong>ards were also developed for the USGS Braden River near Lorraine, FL<br />

gage site. The st<strong>and</strong>ards are hydrologic statistics that represent flows expected<br />

to occur during long-term periods when short term-compliance st<strong>and</strong>ards are<br />

being met. The long-term compliance st<strong>and</strong>ards must be generated from flow<br />

records that are representative of a period devoid of significant anthropogenic<br />

impacts.<br />

Long-term compliance st<strong>and</strong>ards were developed using the entire Braden River<br />

near Lorraine flow record <strong>and</strong> the proposed short-term compliance st<strong>and</strong>ards for<br />

the river segment. For the analysis, daily gaged flow values were modified in<br />

accordance with the assumption that the maximum allowable withdrawals<br />

prescribed by the short-term compliance st<strong>and</strong>ards actually occurred. Hydrologic<br />

statistics for the modified flow data set, including five <strong>and</strong> ten-year mean <strong>and</strong><br />

median annual <strong>and</strong> block-specific flows, were calculated <strong>and</strong> the lowest statistics<br />

for the respective time periods were established as the long-term compliance<br />

st<strong>and</strong>ards (Table 5-10). The st<strong>and</strong>ards integrate duration <strong>and</strong> return frequency<br />

components of the flow regime for long-term (five or ten-year) periods. Because<br />

the st<strong>and</strong>ards were developed using short-term compliance st<strong>and</strong>ards <strong>and</strong> the<br />

presumed historic flow records, it may be expected that the long-term st<strong>and</strong>ards<br />

will be met if compliance with short-term st<strong>and</strong>ards is achieved<br />

Collectively, the short <strong>and</strong> long-term compliance st<strong>and</strong>ards proposed for the<br />

USGS Braden River near Lorraine gage site comprise the District's proposed<br />

minimum flows <strong>and</strong> levels for the upper, freshwater segment of the Braden River.<br />

The st<strong>and</strong>ards are intended to prevent significant harm to the water resources or<br />

ecology of the river that may result from water use. Since future structural<br />

alterations could potentially affect surface water or groundwater flow<br />

characteristics within the watershed <strong>and</strong> additional information pertaining to<br />

minimum flows development may become available, the District is committed to<br />

revision of the proposed levels, as necessary.<br />

5-26

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