Surface Water Quanitity

Surface water quantity is important in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems and the organisms that rely upon them.  Since pre-Columbian times, substantial changes have occurred in the amount and permanency of surface (and ground) water due to activities such as irrigation, municipal withdrawal, and flood control.  In many river systems, dewatering has altered the timing and extent of flows and water quality parameters such as temperature and levels of dissolved nutrients.  Surface water quantity is monitored in the American Southwest and may include monitoring the timing and rates of streamflow for watercourses, and the volume of “static” water bodies.