1. National Weather Service Rio Grande Low Flow Initiative Rio Grande Service Needs

2. Preliminary Contacts U. S. Border Patrol – Presidio Big Bend National Park Service River Rafting Outfitters U. S. Border Patrol – Presidio Big Bend National Park Service River Rafting Outfitters

3. Rio Grande Streamflow Concerns Streamflow Measurements –Improved gaging (staff gages more vulnerable to flooding and silting) –Accuracy / Consistency Streamflow Contributions –Ungaged tributaries from U.S. –Ungaged tributaries and reservoir releases from Mexico Streamflow Measurements –Improved gaging (staff gages more vulnerable to flooding and silting) –Accuracy / Consistency Streamflow Contributions –Ungaged tributaries from U.S. –Ungaged tributaries and reservoir releases from Mexico

4. Rio Grande Streamflow Concerns Low Flow Impacts to Region Environmental Economic Social

5. Low Flow Impacts Low flows expose numerous illegal crossings –Security –Visitor Safety –Smuggling activities –Livestock movement (disease control) Low flows threaten native vegetation and species –Invasion of non-native plants, fish, and other organisms –Algal blooms and fish kills (nutrient levels) Low flows create resource management challenges –Staffing –Equipment –Tourism Low flows expose numerous illegal crossings –Security –Visitor Safety –Smuggling activities –Livestock movement (disease control) Low flows threaten native vegetation and species –Invasion of non-native plants, fish, and other organisms –Algal blooms and fish kills (nutrient levels) Low flows create resource management challenges –Staffing –Equipment –Tourism

6. Low Flow Objective How can we work together to… –Improve streamflow monitoring ? –Develop low flow impact information to increase situational awareness ? –Utilize weather and streamflow data to improve resource management and planning ? How can we work together to… –Improve streamflow monitoring ? –Develop low flow impact information to increase situational awareness ? –Utilize weather and streamflow data to improve resource management and planning ?

7. Rio Grande Rio Conchos Louis L. Leon Reservoir