All news related to Ecohydrology
Technical foundation built for California to evaluate cannabis growers’ requests for stream flow diversions
SCCWRP and its partners have developed a standardized assessment framework that enables California to assess whether the water that cannabis growers are requesting to divert from nearby streams to support ... More
Investigation probing how rising water temperatures affect endangered fish species
SCCWRP and its partners have launched an 18-month investigation to methodically probe how the health of an endangered fish species is affected by increases in water temperatures – granular insights ... More
Trainings completed to support release of tools for assessing stream flow duration
SCCWRP and its partners have completed a pair of field trainings to support the upcoming release of final versions of stream flow classification tools designed to help watershed managers determine ... More
L.A. River named first ecohydrology demo site in the U.S. by UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognized a SCCWRP-led flow ecology study in the Los Angeles River as one of the world’s 51 ecohydrology demonstration sites ... More
Screening-level causal assessment tool successfully applied in San Luis Rey River watershed
SCCWRP and its partners have completed a screening-level causal assessment of the San Luis Rey River watershed in San Diego County using an approach co-developed by SCCWRP that rapidly identifies ... More
Approach developed to identify suitable streams in north O.C. for capturing dry-weather flows
SCCWRP and its partners have developed a novel screening approach for identifying streams in northern Orange County that could be suitable locations for diverting dry-weather flows to boost water recycling ... More
Modeling analysis to inform adaptive management of San Gabriel River flow diversions
SCCWRP and its partners have completed a modeling analysis to understand how diverting treated wastewater discharges from the San Gabriel River for water recycling purposes affects the biological health of ... More
Tools being finalized to help determine whether streams subject to Clean Water Act
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are preparing to release final versions of flow classification tools intended to help watershed managers determine which streams ... More
SCCWRP invited to be part of expert panel informing wastewater recycling plans in Los Angeles region
SCCWRP is participating in a scientific expert panel that is helping to guide the Los Angeles region in long-term planning to dramatically scale up wastewater recycling practices while minimizing potential ... More
Effort launched to identify suitable streams in north O.C. for capturing dry-weather flows
SCCWRP and its partners have begun working to identify which streams in northern Orange County could be suitable locations for diverting dry-weather flows to boost water recycling and improve water ... More
Panel convened to evaluate nature-based solutions for managing stream temperature
SCCWRP and its partners have convened a panel of scientific experts to investigate how to optimally incorporate natural features and processes into stream management to help offset increased temperatures from ... More
Flows framework applied in groundwater management efforts
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has begun using a statewide scientific framework that was originally developed to help managers determine the environmental flow needs of California streams to ... More
SCCWRP aiding U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in overhauling ecological response modeling
SCCWRP has begun working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to overhaul and modernize how the federal agency uses modeling tools to assess the ecological condition of aquatic ... More
Study launched to probe how water temperature affects stream health
SCCWRP and its partners have kicked off the technical work for a study seeking to improve managers’ understanding of how water temperature affects the health of sensitive aquatic life in ... More
Analysis initiated to understand how flow patterns affect biological health of modified channels
The Southern California Stormwater Monitoring Coalition (SMC) has begun examining how flow alterations affect the biological health of streams that have been modified via channel hardening – part of a ... More
Workplan developed for study probing how water temperature affects stream health
SCCWRP and its partners have developed a workplan for a two-year study that aims to improve managers’ understanding of how water temperature affects the health of sensitive aquatic life in ... More
Framework developed to assess streams’ vulnerability to changes in flow patterns
SCCWRP and its partners have developed a scientific framework that enables watershed managers to systematically evaluate how changes in stream flow patterns in the coming years will adversely affect sensitive ... More
Second phase launched in effort to build technical foundation for cannabis growers to request stream flow diversions
SCCWRP and its partners have initiated the second phase of a two-year study to build the technical foundation for a statewide program requiring California cannabis growers to demonstrate that the ... More
Draft technical foundation developed for cannabis growers to request stream flow diversions
SCCWRP and its partners have completed the development of a proposed scientific workflow intended to provide the technical foundation for California cannabis growers to demonstrate that the water they are ... More
Toad distribution modeling completed for stream vulnerability study in San Diego
SCCWRP and its partners have completed development of a species distribution model for assessing the vulnerability of the endangered arroyo toad to future changes in stream flow patterns in the ... More
Study launched to probe how water temperature affects stream health
SCCWRP and its partners have launched a two-year study to improve understanding of how water temperature affects the health of sensitive aquatic life in Southern California streams where treated wastewater ... More
Technical foundation drafted for cannabis growers to request stream flow diversions
SCCWRP and its partners have developed the first draft of a scientific workflow intended to provide the technical foundation for California cannabis growers to demonstrate that the water they are ... More
Hydrologic modeling completed for stream vulnerability study in San Diego region
SCCWRP has developed a set of hydrologic models for the San Diego region to support an ongoing study documenting how changes in stream flow patterns in the coming years are ... More
Beta version of stream flow classification tool developed for Great Plains region
SCCWRP and its partners have completed development of the beta version of a tool that can rapidly distinguish among perennial, intermittent and ephemeral streams in the U.S. Great Plains region, ... More
Special journal issue highlights statewide stream flow management framework
A new scientific framework intended to bring standardization and technical rigor to the process of determining environmental flow needs for California streams is prominently featured in a special issue of ... More
Technical foundation being developed for cannabis growers to request stream flow diversions
SCCWRP and its partners have begun working to develop a scientific foundation for cannabis growers in California to demonstrate that the water they are requesting to divert from nearby streams ... More
Classification system under development to distinguish among different types of modified channels
SCCWRP and its partners have begun working to build a classification system for distinguishing among different types of modified channels in California – a foundational step toward helping stream managers ... More
Study demonstrates how to use framework to restore more natural flows to streams
SCCWRP and its partners have completed a three-year study demonstrating how watershed managers can build a rigorous scientific foundation for integrating environmental flow considerations into their stream restoration planning efforts. ... More
Scientific process for evaluating environmental flows used to develop L.A. River diversion proposals
Two agencies that discharge treated wastewater and stormwater into the Los Angeles River have used a scientific process co-developed by SCCWRP to develop two independent proposals for diverting some of ... More
Study reshapes understanding of how to manage stream flows to protect ecological health
SCCWRP and its partners have completed a two-year study that has helped reshape understanding of how to manage stream flow patterns in California to optimally protect overall ecological health. The ... More
Tijuana River sediment fluxes estimated for effort to improve sediment management practices
SCCWRP and San Diego State University have successfully estimated the sediment fluxes being discharged from the Tijuana River at the U.S.-Mexico border to its coastal estuarine terminus – a key ... More
Study examining how to restore L.A. River as flows reduced
SCCWRP and its partners have launched an investigation into how to optimally restore aquatic ecosystems along the Los Angeles River in the face of anticipated reductions in the river’s flows ... More
Tool unveiled for evaluating effects of potential reductions on L.A. River flows
SCCWRP and its partners have developed a user-friendly, web-based tool that enables L.A. River water-quality managers to use an agreed-upon scientific approach for evaluating whether the river’s flows can be ... More
Tool released to help determine whether streams subject to Clean Water Act oversight
A SCCWRP-developed tool that can help watershed managers determine which streams the federal government has jurisdiction to regulate under the Clean Water Act has been released in beta form for ... More
Agreement reached on process for evaluating environmental flow needs of L.A. River
A diverse coalition of water-quality managers has reached agreement on a scientific process for evaluating whether flows in the Los Angeles River can be reduced for water-recycling purposes while simultaneously ... More
Draft environmental flow recommendations for L.A. River to be released in February
A research team that has been working for the past two years to determine the minimum environmental flows needed to protect the Los Angeles River’s ecological health and recreational benefits ... More
Beta version of stream flow classification tool released, to be rolled out across U.S. Southwest
SCCWRP and its partners have completed development of the beta version of a tool that can rapidly distinguish among perennial, intermittent and ephemeral streams in the U.S. Southwest, paving the ... More
Stream vulnerability study launched to aid in risk evaluation in San Diego region
SCCWRP has initiated a three-year study examining how future expected changes in stream flow patterns across the San Diego region will impact sensitive aquatic species and habitats, with a goal ... More
Statewide environmental flows framework released in draft form, to be finalized by end of year
A proposed statewide framework for bringing consistency and standardization to how environmental flow targets are set for California streams has been released in draft form for review by the end-user ... More
Stream flow classification tool receives preliminary endorsement, to be rolled out across U.S. Southwest
A new tool that can rapidly distinguish among perennial, intermittent and ephemeral streams in the U.S. Southwest has received preliminary endorsement from a technical steering committee, paving the way for ... More
SMC study suggests not all strategies to protect health of erosion-prone streams created equal
The Southern California Stormwater Monitoring Coalition (SMC) has completed an analysis shedding light on whether next-generation management strategies for reducing erosion risk in streams could be more effective at protecting ... More
Initial analysis completed in effort to restore more natural flows to south O.C. streams
SCCWRP has completed a screening-level analysis of how streams in southern Orange County have been altered from their historical hydrologic flow patterns, the first phase in an ongoing effort to ... More
L.A. River environmental flows study receives key stakeholder endorsement
A two-year study working to determine the potential ecological and recreational effects of diverting treated wastewater effluent and runoff from the Los Angeles River for water recycling purposes has received ... More
Flow duration tool providing foundation for change in federal oversight of streams
A SCCWRP-developed approach for determining the flow duration patterns of streams in the U.S. Southwest is serving as the technical centerpiece in an ongoing effort to change how the federal ... More
Statewide framework to be used to inform flow management for south Orange County streams
Watershed managers working to restore more natural flow patterns to streams in southern Orange County have agreed to use a proposed statewide framework to pursue development of environmental flow targets ... More
SCCWRP to contribute to report on balancing demands for water resources in California
SCCWRP has been invited to contribute to a statewide report that will examine ways to balance competing demands on California’s limited water resources. The Public Policy Institute of California began ... More
Statewide environmental flows framework featured in California water resilience report
An ongoing effort by SCCWRP and its partners to develop a standardized approach for setting environmental flow targets for streams statewide is being featured in a new State report intended ... More
Stream flow duration tool being adapted for use in U.S. Great Plains region
SCCWRP and its partners have begun adapting a tool that can rapidly distinguish among intermittent, ephemeral and perennial streams for use in the U.S. Great Plains region, building on SCCWRP’s ... More
Recreational beneficial uses analysis completed for L.A. River environmental flows study
SCCWRP and its partners have completed an assessment of the recreational beneficial uses provided by the Los Angeles River as part of an ongoing study evaluating the implications of diverting ... More
L.A. River environmental flows study holds first stakeholder meeting
A two-year study that seeks to determine the potential ecological and recreational effects of diverting treated wastewater effluent and runoff from the Los Angeles River for water recycling purposes held ... More
Beta version of stream geomorphology tool developed to aid in setting environmental flow targets
SCCWRP and its partners have developed a beta version of a tool that can provide information on geomorphic structure for stream sites across coastal California, part of an ongoing effort ... More
Study examining how to use flow-capture BMPs to improve San Juan Creek flow patterns
SCCWRP and its partners have launched a study examining how to implement flow-capture BMPs (best management practices) in San Juan Creek in Orange County to restore more natural flow patterns ... More
Climate change’s impacts on sensitive aquatic species modeled for L.A. region
SCCWRP and its partners have completed a study examining how changing rainfall patterns and temperatures in the Los Angeles region stemming from climate change will impact sensitive aquatic species and ... More
Environmental flows study to determine impacts of diverting discharges from L.A. River
Water-quality managers that work in the Los Angeles River watershed have initiated a two-year study to determine the potential ecological and recreational effects of diverting treated wastewater effluent and runoff ... More
Study shows flow classification tool can be adapted to distinguish intermittent and ephemeral streams in Southwest
SCCWRP and its partners have shown in a proof-of-concept study that a flow classification tool that can rapidly distinguish intermittent streams from ephemeral streams in the Pacific Northwest is feasible ... More
Environmental flow targets developed to protect Santa Clara River Estuary
A scientific review panel that includes participation by SCCWRP has completed an analysis of the environmental flow needs of the Santa Clara River Estuary. The flow target analysis, completed in ... More
Stream geomorphology data being collected to aid watershed managers in setting flow targets
SCCWRP and its partners have begun field sampling at coastal stream sites across California to collect data on geomorphic structure, part of an ongoing effort to develop a standardized framework ... More
EPA Pacific Northwest stream tool being tested in Southwest
SCCWRP and its partners have launched a study to investigate whether a stream management tool that can rapidly distinguish intermittent streams from ephemeral streams in the Pacific Northwest is feasible ... More
Environmental flows workgroup organizes under California Water Quality Monitoring Council
A group of technical experts working to coordinate environmental flow management programs statewide was officially recognized in November as a workgroup of the California Water Quality Monitoring Council. The recognition ... More
Field testing underway to explore monitoring applications for recently acquired UAS
SCCWRP and its partners have initiated a series of field experiments examining how a pair of recently acquired unmanned aerial systems (UAS) could be used to improve the speed and ... More
Project laying groundwork to develop flow-ecology assessment tools
SCCWRP and its partners have begun laying the groundwork to develop a suite of assessment tools that illuminate how the ecological health of Southern California streams is impacted by alterations ... More
New stream flow targets aid in watershed planning decisions
SCCWRP and its partners have published a comprehensive study outlining how to use a suite of newly developed flow-ecology modeling tools to optimally protect the in-stream biological communities of more ... More
Pilot study shows potential of UAS for remote environmental monitoring applications
SCCWRP and its partners have demonstrated in a pilot study that traditional and multispectral cameras mounted to an unmanned aerial system (UAS) can be used to produce high-resolution, 3D mapping ... More
Study shows watershed managers how to apply new flow-ecology modeling tools
SCCWRP and its partners in the San Diego River Watershed have completed a demonstration study showing how to use a newly developed suite of flow-ecology modeling tools to optimally manage ... More
Framework developed for establishing Southern California stream flow thresholds
SCCWRP and its partners have completed development of a framework that can be used to establish ecologically relevant flow targets for stream sites across Southern California. The framework, which relates ... More
SCCWRP models flow patterns at 850 stream sites for ELOHA study
SCCWRP in October finished modeling hydrological flow patterns for about 850 ungaged bioassessment stream sites across Southern California, a milestone in a three-year project that aims to use a scientific ... More
Case study for flow-ecology framework kicks off in San Diego
SCCWRP and its partners kicked off a case study in May that aims to demonstrate the utility of using a scientific framework known as the Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration ... More
SCCWRP testing utility of remote sensing to assess hydromodification risk
SCCWRP has partnered with Orange County Public Works and the manufacturer of a professional-grade unmanned aerial system equipped with sensors to begin conducting high-resolution mapping of waterways susceptible to hydromodification. ... More