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Alafia River Minimum Flows and Levels - Southwest Florida Water ...

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Chapter 4 Technical Approach for Establishing <strong>Minimum</strong><br />

<strong>Flows</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Levels</strong> for the <strong>Alafia</strong> <strong>River</strong>, Lithia Springs<br />

Major <strong>and</strong> Buckhorn Springs Main<br />

4.1 Overview<br />

Methods used to determine the minimum flow requirements for the freshwater<br />

portion of the <strong>Alafia</strong> <strong>River</strong> <strong>and</strong> associated springs are described in this chapter.<br />

The approach outlined for the river involved identification of a low flow threshold<br />

<strong>and</strong> development of prescribed flow reductions for periods of low, medium <strong>and</strong><br />

high flows (Blocks 1, 2 <strong>and</strong> 3). The low flow threshold was used to identify a<br />

minimum flow condition for Block 1, but is expected to be applicable to river flows<br />

throughout the year. The prescribed flow reductions are based on limiting<br />

potential changes in aquatic <strong>and</strong> wetl<strong>and</strong> habitat availability that may be<br />

associated with changes in river flow during Blocks 1, 2 <strong>and</strong> 3. Methods used for<br />

the springs involved development of prescribed flow reductions based on habitat<br />

availability assessments <strong>and</strong> evaluation of recreational-use requirements.<br />

4.2 Transect Locations <strong>and</strong> Field Sampling of Instream <strong>and</strong><br />

Floodplain Habitats<br />

The <strong>Alafia</strong> <strong>River</strong> study corridor extends approximately 16 miles from Buckhorn<br />

Springs near <strong>River</strong>view, <strong>Florida</strong>, upstream to Aldermans Ford Park (along County<br />

Road 39) near the confluence of the North <strong>and</strong> South Prongs of the <strong>Alafia</strong> <strong>River</strong><br />

(Figure 4-1).<br />

4-1

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