The Texas Water Journal has published a new article in Volume 12, titled Focused Flows to Maintain Natural Nursery Habitats, by Paul A. Montagna, Ph.D., Larry McKinney, Ph.D., and David Yoskowitz, Ph.D.
In Texas, regulatory standards for environmental flows to estuaries are required. This has led to the adoption of complex freshwater inflow regimes that reflect seasonal and yearly fluctuations that vary geographically throughout the state, according to the abstract. Flow regimes are based on the dilution of saline water with freshwater in whole systems.
Large volumes of freshwater are required to meet standards; however, this volume of water is not available during dry periods. For lower flow volumes that would maintain the ecological health of the upper reaches of estuaries during droughts, the authors present a new concept: focused flows.
The journal — an online, peer-reviewed journal published by the nonprofit the Texas Water Journal and the Texas Water Resources Institute — publishes papers as they are completed. It is devoted to the timely consideration of Texas water resources management, research and policy issues from a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates science, engineering, law, planning and other disciplines. It also provides updates on key state legislation and policy changes by Texas administrative agencies.
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