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Water Year 2004 <br /> (Based on USGS provisional flow data except during ice-up from 12-15- <br /> 03 to 2-29-04; NE DNR flow data was used during this period.) <br /> 3500 - <br /> <br />.-. <br />? <br />3000 - . ' <br />v , <br /> <br />N 2500 - <br /> <br />_ . ; ; . <br />? 2000 <br />? -------.... _ ..? <br />?+ . , . <br />-._._._._ r . <br /> 1500 <br />? . . <br />L <br />? <br /> <br />, . <br />, . I . <br />_.-.-._...? <br />. . . <br />.. ---- <br /> <br />N <br />1000 , <br /> - <br />Q . . .? . _.. _._. _. ?..r. ?..?, ------- <br />• 500 -- <br />m - -- <br />0 <br /> 0 <br /> ?\`LO03 0 0?3 ?\`LO? QD? zDk ?\??oD? <br />?? 4 <br /> Flows at Grand Island ....... Ave. IFR at G.I. (May/June Pulse 30 days@3400) .._ ...... ... DryIFR at G.I. <br /> <br />WY2004 EA Release Report <br />In May and June of 2003, the negative effects on channel habitat from prolonged low flows were <br />apparent with the early proliferation of dense vegetative growth on islands and sandbars in the <br />river. Establishment of these plant communities degrade channel habitats used by the federally <br />listed whooping crane, least tern, and piping plover, and hinder restoration efforts. During the <br />WY2004 fall/winter period, the Platte River again experienced lower than average flows. In <br />addition, no discernable natural "spring rise" (i.e., pulse flow) has occurred in the central Platte <br />River habitat reach (i.e., Lexington to Chapman) for the fourth consecutive year. In the absence of <br />these beneficial flows that promote in-channel vegetation removal, river habitats will continue to <br />degrade, and at an accelerated rate. The Service places the highest priority on increasing the <br />frequency, magnitude, and duration of higher flow events through the central Platte River reach <br />and is increasingly interested in using the EA to facilitate higher magnitude, longer duration flows <br />in an effort to remove in-channel vegetation through inundation and/or scouring flows. <br />During the WY2004 winter period, options for implementing an EA pulse flow in the spring of <br />2004 were actively pursued. Several pulse flow planning meetings were held including: