Technical Bulletin No. 0961: A Review of the Relationship Between Flow, Habitat, and Biota in Lotic Systems and Methods for Determining Instream Flow Requirements

Most naturally flowing rivers exhibit variable flow patterns, including both extreme high and low flows, during a typical year. Variation in flow plays an integral role in shaping both the form and dynamics of stream channels and the distribution and abundance of biota contained within them. Quantifying the relationships between flow, habitat, and biota is complex, and the recent drought and related low stream flows in the Southeast have raised concerns about critical low flow needs for stream biota.