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

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greater than 25 cfs would inundate the LWPIP at all cross sections included in<br />

the HEC-RAS channel model. Review of flows at the USGS Lithia gage, which<br />

correspond to the local flows/stages, indicated that a flow of 29 cfs at the gage<br />

site would be sufficient to inundate the LWPIP at all sampled cross-sections.<br />

The wetted perimeter st<strong>and</strong>ard for the <strong>Alafia</strong> <strong>River</strong> corridor was therefore<br />

established at 29 cfs at the USGS Lithia gage.<br />

Lowest Wettest Perimeter Inflection Point<br />

Local Flow (cfs)<br />

35<br />

30<br />

25<br />

20<br />

15<br />

10<br />

5<br />

0<br />

60 70 80 90 100<br />

<br />

HEC-RAS Cross Section<br />

Figure 5-2. Plot of local flow required to inundate the lowest wetted perimeter inflection<br />

point at each HEC-RAS cross-section.<br />

5.2.3 Low Flow Threshold<br />

A low flow threshold of 59 cfs at the USGS Lithia gage was established for the<br />

<strong>Alafia</strong> <strong>River</strong>. The low flow threshold was established at the higher of the fish<br />

passage <strong>and</strong> wetted perimeter st<strong>and</strong>ards <strong>and</strong> is therefore expected to provide<br />

protection for ecological <strong>and</strong> cultural values associated with both st<strong>and</strong>ards.<br />

Although flows in the river may be expected to drop below the low flow threshold<br />

naturally, the threshold is defined to be a flow that serves as a limit to<br />

withdrawals, with no withdrawals permitted from the river unless the low flow<br />

threshold is exceeded.<br />

5-3

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