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PLAN AND CONCEPTS FOR MULTI-USE MANAGEMENT OF THE ATCHAFALAYA BASIN
Citation:
Beek, J., W. Smith, J. Smith, AND P. Light. PLAN AND CONCEPTS FOR MULTI-USE MANAGEMENT OF THE ATCHAFALAYA BASIN. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-77/062 (NTIS PB271488), 1977.
Description:
The report determines surface water requirements of the natural resource complex, including fishes, wildlife, and forests, and the socio-economic resource uses, including flood control, urban and industrial development, mineral extraction, transportation, agriculture, and recreation. Requirements are expressed in terms of desirable annual water-level variation, and resulting hydrographs are compared with those for present and proposed conditions associated with channelization. Minimum volumetric inflow requirements were calculated on the basis of storage characteristics and water levels as attained at present. Hydraulic geometry of the present main river channel is analyzed, and those channel dimensions that are in equilibrium with bankfull discharge suggest that channel enlargement through dredging should not go beyond a cross-sectional area of 7,400 square meters. A surface-water management plan is presented that is believed to provide for maximum longevity of the remaining swamp ecosystem, to minimize the conflict arising from flood-control needs, and to make possible compatible derivation of benefits from both renewable and non-renewable resources.