Surface Water Availability

Surface Water Considerations Physical Availability Safe Yield Excess Surface Water Allocation During Time of Shortage Fish and Wildlife Flows USACE Projects Interstate Compacts

Excess Surface Water 25% of water available on an average, annual basis above that required to meet existing/projected future needs , for non-riparian uses or interbasin transfer. Existing/Projected Needs: 1. Existing riparian rights 2. Water needs of federal water projects 3. Firm yield of reservoirs 4. Maintenance of instream flows (Fish & Wildlife, WQ, Navigation, and Aquifer Recharge), and 5. Future needs in that basin

Excess Surface Water Determination 1990 Plan calculated excess water for 8 areas using 19 gages 2014 Update uses 51 gages to calculate excess water in 9 major river basins and 32 sub-basins Updated stream flow data and demands No change assumed if demand decreased

Current update includes 9 major river basins and up to 30 sub-basins

Excess Water, by River Basin Excess Water (Million ac-ft/yr) White River (Cache) 1.7 Arkansas River 3.3 Delta 1.6 Ouachita River 1.0 Red River 1.1

Excess Surface Water Availability Results 1990 Statewide total excess surface water ~10.5 million ac-ft Updated Statewide total ~8.74 million ac-ft Differences result from updated demand projections, changes in in-stream needs (e.g., White River minimum flows), and basin differences (e.g., 1990 East Arkansas methodology) Represents annual average, but does not reflect seasonal variations

US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Projects Arkansas Water Plan (AWP) references the annual summary of USACE projects Current allocation status for each reservoir Summary of general process required for reallocation

USACE Lakes

Interstate Compacts Compact delivery requirements limit available surface water Arkansas River Compact (AR and OK) Red River Compact (OK, TX, AR and LA) – includes all areas south of the Arkansas River watershed

Fish and Wildlife Flows

Fish and Wildlife Flows Subgroup formed Technical workshop – March 2013 Reviewed the Arkansas Method, Modified Tennant Method Reviewed national and southeastern methods for estimating instream flows Recommended path forward

Recommendations Use the Arkansas Method for estimating fish and wildlife flows and updating excess flow estimates for the 2014 Arkansas Water Plan Determine flow-ecology relationships and develop an empirical, risk-based method for estimating flow-ecology (e.g., fishery) relationships, based on: Magnitude Frequency Duration Timing, and Rate of change of flow Using the AR Method for planning is fine- but for implementation the permitting should be strengthened to include seasonal compliance with fish & Wildlife thresholds identified in the AR Method. Even riparian users should agree that a non-riparian, unrestricted permit could risk their needs during the low flow seasons.

Recommendations (Continued) Framework for adopting alternative methods for F&W flows into Arkansas Water Plan (i.e., adaptive management), which requires: Defining how flows were determined (e.g., USGS gauge) Specifying the applicable stream classes (e.g. extraordinary resource waters) Documenting the current hydrologic status Confirming the flow-ecology relationships are scientifically defensible Documenting the stakeholder process used to refine, if needed, flows to achieve all designated uses Monitoring and periodically assessing flow-ecology relations We need to take Farm Bureau’s comments to heart and why this Framework change is needed, e.g. 1) improved site specific criteria, 2) incorporates existing hydrological/biological conditions and alterations into the decision model, 3) enhances local stakeholders making the decisions. Also- can we provide a practical illustration? Likewise- we need to, at least put on the table, that the F&W group is considering strengthening language for ERW streams.

Recommendations (Continued) Propose approaches for reducing the likelihood of declared water shortages and stopping withdrawals For Illustration Only No suggestions here- I’ll be curious as to the groups reaction.

Surface Water Quality

Information Sources Updated information since 1990 Plan State-wide information sources ADEQ USGS Updated information since 1990 Plan Selected sources within water resources planning regions Beaver Water District Ft. Smith Central Arkansas Water ANRC AR Department of Health

Analyses Used existing results for current status 305(b) reports 303(d) lists Demand water use sectors Summary by AR WR Planning Regions WQ Trend analyses at concurrent water supply sites Flow-adjusted Seasonal Kendall trend analyses Issues: since 1990 Plan and emerging

Current (2008) Water Quality: Impaired Stream Miles, Lake Acreage Designated use Water Demand Sector Use Impaired Stream Miles/% of Total Assessed Impaired Lake Acres/% of Total Assessed Fish Consumption Recreation 363.3/3% 23,637/6% Aquatic Life Fish & Wildlife 2,439.9/25% 11,248/3% Primary Contact 564.8/6% Secondary Contact 7/0.01% Domestic Water Supply Drinking Water 448.3/4% 97,105/27% Ag & Industrial Water Supply Agriculture, Industry 967.7/10% Total miles (acres) impaired 4,086.5/41% 127,520/36% Total miles (acres) assessed 9,849.7 357,896 11,900 miles of stream in state (basis for assessment) More detailed mapping, includes ephemerals, results in 87,617 miles of stream in state

Causes of Impairment (2008) Stream Miles Lake Acres Siltation/Turbidity 1,156.3 3,235 Organic Enrichment/ Low DO/Nutrients 1,308 4,625 Mercury 319 18,677 Priority Organics 44.8 <10 E. coli 638.8 Chlorides 691.7 Sulfates 511 Total Dissolved Solids 1,021.7 Beryllium 97,105 Copper 335 Unknown 30,485

Water Quality Change/Trend Stations Historic water quality evaluated at/near water availability assessment sites 1990 AWP wq data up to mid 1980’s, around 30 yrs ago 25 sites with wq > 30 yrs Linear regression of log10 data by year

Parameters Analyzed* DO Turbidity Inorganic N TSS TKN Fecal Coliforms Total P Turbidity TSS Fecal Coliforms Parameters analyzed related to Aquatic Life designated use support Fecal coliforms related to Recreation designated uses support *Parameters analyzed primarily related to aquatic life use Fecal coliforms related to recreational use

Results of Q-adjusted Seasonal Kendall North Planning Region Stream Name Water Quality Trends DO Inorganic N TKN Total Phosphorus Turbidity TSS Kings River None Black River < 30 yrs Strawberry River Middle Fork Little Red R. Illinois River <30 yrs

Overall Surface Water Quality Summary Assessed streams (59%) and lakes (64%) attained uses No statewide patterns of use impairment or causes, except fish consumption (mercury) since 1990 Declining trends in suspended solids across most water resources planning regions Potential emerging concern – trace organics known as CECs

How to Follow the Arkansas Water Planning Process and Get More Information Visit the Water Plan Website at: ARWaterPlan.Arkansas.gov Send an e-mail to: ArkansasWater@CDMSmith.com Provide us your address and we will send periodic updates Visit the ANRC website to follow Commission activities anrc.arkansas.gov/