Apalachicola River at Chattahoochee

The past week

Highest crests on record

When the water runs low

• 29 kcfs

  The extent of connected aquatic floodplain habitat increases substantially at flows above 29,000.

• 21 kcfs

  Releases to the Apalachicola River approximate or exceed inflows into the basin whenever basin inflows approached 21,000 cfs or lower during the Gulf Sturgeon spawning period.

• 15 kcfs

  Most Tupelo-Cypress swamps in nontidal reaches of the annual floodplain are exposed and no longer inundated at 15,000 cfs. Inundation in wetland forests March-May is important habitat for the primary fish spawning season, and also maintains healthy forest structure and species composition in swamps. Extent/reach: Approx. 19,000 acres of Tupelo-Cypress swamps bordering 57 miles of river (mile 21-78).

• 13 kcfs

  Barges and large boats cannot navigate the river (at Blountstown gage of 6 feet or lower, which is approximately equivalent to 13,000 cfs at Chattahoochee gage). Reach: Upper 86 miles (mile 21-107), especially at problems reaches (e.g. near Corley Slough).

• 11 kcfs

  Flow needed to provide sufficient depths at tributary mouths for fish to move between the tributaries and main channel.

• 10 kcfs

  About half of all streams and sloughs in nontidal floodplain become impassable at 10,000 cfs, blocking access from main stem to floodplain for fish, fisherman, and hunters. Extent/reach: Floodplain streams, sloughs, and lakes along 86 river miles (mile 21-107).

• 9 kcfs

  In some areas of the estuary, salinity levels increase to intolerable or lethal levels for estuarine biota (oysters, submerged aquatic vegetations, benthic invertebrates, etc). Extent/reach: Nearly 100 miles of brackish-water streams in the lower Apalachicola River and distributaries, plus approx. 110,000 acres of bays and sounds in the Apalachicola Bay system.

• 8 kcfs

  Low flow operations protocol implemented when flows approached levels less than 8,000 cfs to minimize impacts to mussel species.

• 6 kcfs

  More than 85% of all streams and sloughs in nontidal floodplain become impassable at 6,000 cfs, blocking access from main stem to floodplain for fish, fisherman, and hunters. Extent/reach: Floodplain streams, sloughs, and lakes along 86 river miles (mile 20-106). In many areas of the estuary, salinity levels increase to intolerable or lethal levels for estuarine biota (oysters, submerged aquatic vegetations, benthic invertebrates, etc). Extent/reach: Nearly 100 miles of brackish-water streams in the lower Apalachicola River and distributaries, plus approx. 110,000 acres of bays and sounds in the Apalachicola Bay system.

• 5.6 kcfs

  Level needed for the Swift Slough to remain minimally connected to the river. Dissolved oxygen declines to lethal levels.

• 5.0 kcfs

  Minimum flow from Woodruff Dam. Swift Slough is disconnected from the main stem of the Apalachicola River

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