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Pumping from the White River

Present water users on the lower White River consist of commercial navigation interests, riparian agricultural diversions, recreation enthusiasts, and industrial diverters.  The state of Arkansas regulates the amount of water available for diversion from the White River through the State Water Plan (SWP).  Administration of this plan and all regulation and permitting activities are by the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission (ASWCC).  The present SWP has been in effect since 1986 when approved by the state legislature.  ASWCC is currently attempting to refine water allocation procedures through a new SWP.  At the time of this writing (September 1996), the new SWP is only is draft form and has not yet undergone public notice procedures.

The amount of flow in the White River affects all river users.  The ASWCC currently allocates water from the White River basin.  Present allocation limitations are presented in the SWP:  these allocations are based on mean monthly discharges and several categories of minimum instream-flow criteria.  Instream-flow needs identified in the 1986 SWP are water quality, fish and wildlife and navigation.

Soil Water Plan Flow for the White River

  • January flow - 19,610 cfs
  • February flow - 22,700 cfs
  • March flow - 27,610 cfs
  • April flow - 36,940 cfs
  • May flow - 21,220 cfs
  • June flow - 21,220 cfs
  • July flow - 10,670 cfs
  • August flow - 9,650 cfs
  • September flow - 9,650 cfs
  • October flow - 9,650 cfs
  • November flow - 11,05 cfs
  • December flow - 17,590 cfs

Evaluation of any impacts to the White River resulting form proposed diversions was accomplished by HEC-5 water balance model.  Specifically, environmental and navigational impacts were analyzed.  Although minimum criteria may be refined by future updates and revisions to the SWP, evaluation using the current SWP (1986 will identify any potential impacts and their relative magnitude).  As previously stated, flow conditions on the White River are quite variable.  This translates into large fluctuations in water levels, or stages, with daily changes in stage of 4-5 feet or more being possible.  The relative difference between pre- and post-diversion conditions should be viewed in light of the natural variability.

Water Balance calculation were first based on seven minimum in-stream flow conditions for the original project area and a maximum diversion of 1800 cfs.  Use of the seven minimum in-stream flows provided data necessary to determine the optimum pump cut-off level (i.e. minimum in-stream flow).  The minimum in-stream flows required by the SWP was the only in-stream flow requirement evaluated for additional analyses, because the SWP was the legal constraint and economic benefits for the Grand Prairie Demo Project were optimized.

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