Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2023
Abstract
Low flows pose unique challenges for accurately quantifying streamflow. Current field methods are not optimized to measure these conditions, which in turn, limits research and management. In this essay, we argue that the lack of methods for measuring low streamflow is a fundamental challenge that must be addressed to ensure sustainable water management now and into the future, particularly as climate change shifts more streams to increasingly frequent low flows. We demonstrate the pervasive challenge of measuring low flows, present a decision support tool (DST) for navigating best practices in measuring low flows, and highlight important method developmental needs.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Publication Information
Seybold, Erin C.; Bergstrom, Anna; Jones, C. Nathan; Burgin, Amy J.; Zipper, Sam; Godsey, Sarah E.; Dodds, Walter K.; Zimmer, Margaret A.; Shanafield, Margaret; Datry, Thibault; Mazor, Raphael D.; Messager, Mathis L.; Olden, Julian D.; Ward, Adam; Yu, Songyan; Kaiser, Kendra E.; Shogren, Arial; and Walker, Richard H.. (2023). "How Low Can You Go?: Widespread Challenges in Measuring Low Stream Discharge and a Path Forward". Limnology and Oceanography Letters, 8(6), 804-811. https://doi.org/10.1002/lol2.10356