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Rio Grande Low Flow Initiative. Rio Grande Service Needs. National Weather Service. Preliminary Contacts. U. S. Border Patrol – Presidio Big Bend National Park Service River Rafting Outfitters. Rio Grande Streamflow Concerns. Streamflow Measurements
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Rio Grande Low Flow Initiative Rio Grande Service Needs National Weather Service
Preliminary Contacts • U. S. Border Patrol – Presidio • Big Bend National Park Service • River Rafting Outfitters
Rio Grande Streamflow Concerns • Streamflow Measurements • Improved gaging (staff gages more vulnerable to flooding and silting) • Accuracy / Consistency • Streamflow Contributions • Ungaged tributaries from U.S. • Ungaged tributaries and reservoir releases from Mexico
Rio Grande Streamflow Concerns Low Flow Impacts to Region Environmental Economic Social
Low Flow Impacts • Low flows expose numerous illegal crossings • Security • Visitor Safety • Smuggling activities • Livestock movement (disease control) • Low flows threaten native vegetation and species • Invasion of non-native plants, fish, and other organisms • Algal blooms and fish kills (nutrient levels) • Low flows create resource management challenges • Staffing • Equipment • Tourism
Low Flow Objective • How can we work together to… • Improve streamflow monitoring ? • Develop low flow impact information to increase situational awareness ? • Utilize weather and streamflow data to improve resource management and planning ?
Rio Grande Louis L. Leon Reservoir Rio Conchos