What is the approved Blue Spring minimum flow regime?
The District has approved a Blue Spring minimum flow regime. The minimum flow regime was developed through a three-part approach. First, the District calculated a minimum flow that will protect the use of Blue Spring as a refuge to accommodate expansion of the West Indian manatee population. Second, the District evaluated the water resource values in Rule 62-40.473, F.A.C., relevant to Blue Spring. Third, the District considered whether these values would be protected under the minimum flow regime for Blue Spring, and determined they also would be protected. The minimum flow regime defines the minimum long-term average flow in five-year increments until 2024. The minimum flow will increase over time. The first increment would allow a temporary reduction in the long-term average flow from 157 cfs (101 mgd) to 133 cfs (86 mgd) for the period of time from the date of rule adoption to March 31, 2009. This 15 percent decrease in flow represents the maximum allowable reduction in the Blue Sp
