Abstract
Existing methods to estimate stream health are often location-specific, and do not address all of the components of stream health. In addition, there are very few guidelines to estimate the health of a stream, although the literature and useful tools such as Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA) are available. This paper describes an approach developed for estimating stream health. The method involves the: (1) collection of flow data; (2) identification of hydrologic change; (3) estimation of some hydrologic indicators for pre-alteration and post-alteration periods; and (4) the use of those hydrologic indicators with the scoring framework of the Dundee Hydrologic Regime Assessment Method (DHRAM). The approach estimates the stream health in aggregate including all of the components, such as riparian vegetation, aquatic species, and benthic organisms. Using the approach, stream health can be estimated at two different levels: (1) the existence or absence of a stream health problem based on the concept of eco-deficit and eco-surplus using flow duration curves; and (2) the estimation of overall stream health using the IHA–DHRAM method. The procedure is demonstrated with a case example of the White Rock Creek watershed in Texas in the United States (US). The approach has great potential to estimate stream health and prescribe flow-based goals for the restoration of impaired streams.
Highlights
Streams are an important resource for humans and natural systems alike [1]
Period of data for precipitation and streamflow: data used fordata this used for this analysis is located at Avenue, Dallas, Texas
By developing a procedure to estimate stream health using daily streamflow, this study addresses the need for literature on clear guidelines for estimating stream health
Summary
Streams are an important resource for humans and natural systems alike [1]. A healthy river will supply the goods and services that are valued by people [2]; a healthy stream is an ecosystem that is sustainable and resilient [3]. The concept of stream health has been used in the literature, and a good review of definitions can be obtained from Vugteveen et al [4]. Maintaining healthy streams can challenge city, county, and state resource managers, given its multidisciplinary nature and differing values. Climate change, urbanization, and other land use changes add to the stress to maintain stream health. Due to the increasing degradation of river systems, stream health research has attracted more and more attention from researchers and decision-makers alike [6]
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