Spring Peak Flows With an epic snow pack in 2008, we are expecting high run-off in our rivers and streams. This year’s peak spring flows could have a major effect all life that lives along and in our rivers.
From an ecological standpoint, high spring flows are a part of the life of any free flowing river system. Ironically, rivers need powerful high spring flows in order to scour the river corridor enabling everything living in streams naturally to survive. The water chemistry changes with floodwater. Craig Childs, in his book The Secret Knowledge of Water, says that “… floods come like compost heaps, thick with nutrients, not only recharging the surrounding soils but also banking away new ground water that flows beneath the creeks.” Peak spring flows have also proven to help sustain native fish populations. High spring flows are essential to the health and sustainability of our water table and rivers.
Just as we are renewed by the coming of spring, the rivers are recharged, maintained and renewed through high peak flows.