Why was the minimum bypass flow equation changed on March 14, 2008? How does this affect the amount of water that could be diverted?
The minimum bypass flow was modified because errors were found in the data used to develop the minimum bypass flow equation. The watershed areas at two of the 13 study sites had not been adjusted for differences between the location at which data was gathered and the location of the stream flow gauge. The correction of these errors resulted in a small change to the minimum bypass flow equation. Some, but not all, diverters may receive less water under the revised minimum bypass flow equation. Application of the revised minimum bypass flow equation to the example projects presented at the February 6, 2008 technical staff workshop resulted in changes to the amount of water that could be diverted that ranged from 0% to 6.3%.
