Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2007ME116B

Assessing the role of natural flow variability and the impact of flow standards on Maine's surface waters

Institute: Maine
Year Established: 2007 Start Date: 2007-09-01 End Date: 2008-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $5,654 Total Non-Federal Funds: $49,898

Principal Investigators: Shaleen Jain, David Courtemanch, David Hart

Abstract: The State of Maines efforts toward implementing an effective framework for water use regulation directly contribute to the broad goal of sustainable use of water supplies. The complexity of the problem (hydrologic, ecological, climatic and socioeconomic) necessitates an ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, policy makers and managers at all levels of decision-making. In this inclusive process of stakeholder input and discussion of all concerns, the role of research on pertinent issues is one of filling knowledge gaps and providing improved decision support tools for informed deliberations. To this end, this project focuses on the assessment of the role of natural hydroclimatic variability on Maines surface waters, their impact on flow metrics and rules for reliable water supply, and finally an assessment of the extent to which new rules impact ecosystem health (quantified as ecologically-relevant metrics of flow). Within the context of the ongoing rulemaking efforts for water use (co-PI Courtemanch being the lead-author of the current draft), this research is firmly embedded in the statewide process of responding to stakeholder concerns and promoting sustainable water use to balance human and ecological flow needs.