The following resources related to instream flows available from Instream Flow Council member agencies, IFC members and partners are provided here to advance the mission of the IFC.

 

Alaska

Instream Flow Protection in Alaska, 2012 report

Surface-Water Data Manual


Alberta  

Surface Water Allocation Directive (2019)

A Desktop Method for Establishing Environmental Flows in Alberta River and Streams (2011)

Alberta Desktop Method fact sheet (2011)

Framework for Assessing the Ecological Flow Requirements to Support Fisheries in Canada (2013)
Federal Scientific Advisory Report – Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)

 

Arizona

Arizona Game & Fish

Arizona Statue Title 45 – Waters
45-152.01  Instream flow applications; process; definition

Megdal, S., J. Nadeau, T. Tom  (2011)  The Forgotten Sector:  Arizona Water Law and the Environment,  Arizona Journal of Environmental Law and Policy 2011, Vol. 1, No. 2.


British Columbia

British Columbia Environmental Flows Needs Policy (January 2022)

Backgrounder to British Columbia Instream Flow Guideline Documents

Instream flow thresholds for fish and fish habitat as guidelines for reviewing proposed water uses SYNOPSIS

Development of instream flow thresholds as guidelines for reviewing proposed water uses

Guidelines for the collection and analysis of fish and fish habitat data for the purpose of assessing impacts from small hydropower projects in British Columbia

Assessment Methods for Aquatic Habitat and Instream Flow Characteristics in Support of Applications to Dam, Divert, or Extract Water from Streams in British Columbia

Independent Review: Potential Impacts of Run-Of-River Power Hydroprojects on Salmonoids (2014)

Section 15 (Environmental Flow Needs) of the Water Sustainability Act


California

California Fish and Wildlife Instream Flow Program

California Environmental Flows Framework

California Fish and Wildlife Agency Groundwater Program

Fish & Wildlife Groundwater Planning Considerations

California Fish and Wildlife Water Rights Program


Colorado

Colorado Water Conservation Board’s Instream Flow Program

R2Cross Model and Web Tool

Water Rights (Prior Appropriation System)

 Division of Water Resources

 Statues/Legislation

ISF Program

ISF Acquisitions

ISF Loans


Connecticut

Connecticut Stream Flow Standards and Regulations

Water Diversion Program

Connecticut State Water Plan


Florida

Florida Water Resources Act of 1972

Water Resource Implementation Rule (see 62-40.473 and 62-40.474)

Minimum Flows and Minimum Water Levels and Reservations
This contains links to each of the 5 water management district programs.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Agency Action Plan


Minnesota

The Watershed Health Assessment Framework

Habitat Suitability Criteria for Fishes and Mussels of Minnesota

Reconnecting Rivers: Natural Channel Design in Dam Removal and Fish Passage


Montana

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Water Management 

Instream Flow Protection in Montana 

Yellowstone River Instream Flow Water Reservations 

Montana Tributary Flow Restoration and Protection Article 

Water Rights in Montana Handbook 

Montana Watershed Planning and Guidance  

Montana State Water Plan


New Hampshire

New Hampshire Instream Flow Program

New Hampshire Instream Flow Blog


North Carolina

Instream Flow Unit


Ontario

Aquatic Ecosystem Assessments for Rivers

Streamflow Analysis and Assessment Software (SAAS)


Oregon

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Water Quantity and Quality program 

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Guidance on Allocating Peak Flows

Oregon Water Resources Department Place-Based Integrated Water Resources Planning website

Oregon Water Resources Department Integrated Water Resource Strategy

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Streamflow Prioritization 

Policies

  • Minimum Perennial Streamflow Rules (OAR 690-76)
  • Oregon Water Resources Department Water Right Rules: (OAR 690-77)
  • Oregon Water Resources Department Instream Flow Protection Rules (OAR 690-410-0030)
  • Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Instream Water Right Rules (OAR 635-400)


Texas

Instream Flows in Texas (TPWD)

Texas Instream Flow Program
Includes links to following documents and final reports of basin-specific instream flow studies (Lower San Antonio River and Middle and Lower Brazos River)
           Texas Instream Flow Studies: Technical Overview
           The Science of Instream Flows: A Review of the Texas Instream Flow Program

Freshwater Inflows to Texas Bays and Estuaries (TPWD)

Environmental Flow Information Toolkit (TPWD)

Surface Water Rights and Availability (TCEQ)
           Environmental Flow Standards
           TCEQ Water Rights Viewer

Water Data for Texas (TWDB)

Groundwater Management in Texas (TWDB)

Water Resources Planning (TWDB)

Texas Water Explorer

Fishes of Texas

Mussels of Texas

 

Washington

Instream Flow Regulatory Agency
Map of Instream Flow Rules in WA
Protecting Instream Flows
Instream Flow and Water Management Legal Framework

Instream Flow Science Agency
Instream Flow Study Guidelines

Supporting WA Agencies
WA Irrigation Efficiencies Program


Wyoming

Wyoming Game and Fish Department XStream Angler Program

Water Management Unit Plan and Stream Prioritization

State of Wyoming Instream Flow Filings 

State of Wyoming Instream Flow Segments Summary 

Wyoming State Engineer’s Office

Wyoming Water Law Summary

 

                                                                                                                   

                         

           

                         

                         

Last Updated February 1, 2023