Nnaji, G.A.; Huang, W.; Gitau, M.W., and Clark II, C., 2014. Frequency analysis of minimum ecological flow and gage height in Suwannee River, Florida.

Hydrological frequency analysis has been conducted to estimate minimum ecological flow and gage height for protection of the ecosystem in Suwannee River, Florida, USA. By comparing to observations, results indicate that both Log Pearson Type III and Weibull distributions provide reasonable predictions of low flow frequency curves. However, Log Pearson Type III distribution provides more accurate predictions than Weibull distribution in low flow analysis in Suwannee River. The 7Q10 method, which has been used by United States Geological Service in USA, is defined as the lowest 7-day average flow that occurs on average once every 10 years, which has been used by some water management agencies in USA for river ecological study. Based on 7Q10 method and frequency analysis, the minimum ecological flow and gage height in Suwannee River are proposed for water resources and river ecosystem managements. The study may provide a good reference for minimum ecological flow analysis in other river study sites.