We Are in a Drought: The V iew from the Lower Flint River

1. We Are in a Drought: The View from the Lower Flint River (Better days)

2. Kinchafoonee and Muckalee Ichawaynochaway and Chickasawhatchee Lower Flint Spring Area of Focus Recharge Area Upper Floridan Aquifer

3. SW Georgia Hydrologic Cycle Runoff = 7 inches/year Rainfall = 52 inches/year i ET = 35 inches/year Upper Floridan Aquifer Recharge = 10 inches/year Flint

4. Regional Water Use (2005) • Largest use – irrigation ~ 300 Mgal/d (464 cfs) approximately 50% of total withdrawals • (Fanning, J.L. and Trent, V.P., 2009, Water Use in Georgia by County for 2005; and Water-Use Trends, 1980–2005: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5002)

5. Expansion of Irrigation Data from: M. Masters, Flint River Water Planning and Policy Center, Albany State University.

6. Palmer Index for Southwestern Georgia January 2010 - present Moisture Surplus Moisture Deficit Data from NCDC, Georgia Region 7

7. Rainfall Trends • Long term trend not apparent • 1954 had least annual rainfall (29.6 in.) 2011 YTD 1954

8. Drought History Southwestern Georgia 1954 2000 2007 Data from: NCDC, Georgia region 7

9. Drought Effects on Streams

10. Long Term Gauging Stations Newton Station Flint River Milford Station Ichawaynochaway Ck Elmodel Station Chickasawhatchee Creek Iron City Station Spring Creek

11. Record low ~ 5 CFS (P)

13. Ichawaynochaway Ck • loss of shoal habitat • barrier to fish passage • loss of bank habitat • diminished aeration • elevated stream temperatures Stress to aquatic life

16. Spring Creek • exposure of wood • loss of assimilative capacity • loss of habitat • diminished aeration • elevated stream temperatures • eutrophication and stagnation Stress to aquatic life Loss of water purification

17. First record zero flow

19. Chickasawhatchee Creek - First recorded zero flow (summer 2011) - Loss of stream function

20. Record low ~ 656 CFS (P)

22. Flint River • exposure of wood • reduced assimilative capacity • loss of habitat • loss of recreation

23. Critical Habitat for the ACF Mussels Fat three-ridge (E) Chipolaslabshell (T) Purple bankclimber (T) Shiny-rayed pocketbook (E) Gulf moccasinshell(E) Oval pigtoe (E) Fish Gulf sturgeon (T)

24. Endangered Species Act of 1973 “The Secretary shall, concurrently with a determination… that a species is an endangered species or a threatened species, designate any habitat of such species which is then considered to be critical habitat…” (ESA Section 4(a)(3)(A)) Critical Habitat Includes… • Specific areas within or outside the geographical area occupied by the species when listed, on which are found those physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species. • Except in special circumstances, critical habitat does not include the entire geographical area which could be occupied by the species. (Paraphrased from: ESA Section 3(5)(A-C))

25. Muckalee Ck Kinchafoonee Ck Chickasawhatchee Ck Spring Ck Historical Mussel Declines in the Lower Flint Mortality during the 2000 drought

26. Conclusions • Seasonal and extended droughts are common in southern Georgia • Recent droughts have resulted in lower stream low flows than those prior to water resource development • The ecological effects of drought on streams are varied and include: • Loss of important habitats • Loss of stream aeration and stagnation • Loss of fish passage • Stress or loss of aquatic life • Reduced assimilative capacity • Reduced recreational opportunities • Reduced water supply • Reduced stream health • - Record minimum flows were observed in the lower Flint River Basin during the summer of 2011