The Science of Instream Flows –
Evidence of an adaptive process
and the dichotomy of perceived
information needs
Dr. Thomas B. Hardy
Associate Director
Utah Water Research Laboratory
Utah State University
Flows for the Future
Oct 31/Nov 1st Texas State University – San Marcos
The Science of Instream Flows
Instream Flows is the art and science of collecting data
in systems we cannot adequately sample using methods
developed by committees of technically diverse
participants for organisms we know very little about in
order to form concepts about processes we do not fully
understand that we then represent as simplified
mathematical abstractions that we cannot precisely
analyze to determine their responses to indeterminate
stresses we cannot accurately predict now let alone in
the future all in such a way that society at large is given
no reason to suspect the extent of our ignorance.
The Science of Instream Flows

Moving in the direction of more
technologically sophisticated and
multidisciplinary requiring integration
 Hydrology
 Hydraulics
 Sediment Transport
 Water Quality
Science within a Process
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The level of technical competency of those
involved is increasing
Demand for more quantitative assessments that are
science based
Everyone wants an answer with minimal
‘uncertainty’ while most do not truly understand
what uncertainty actually is!
What is acceptable is most often a moving target
as the science unfolds through the process
What the technical process looks
like:
The Dichotomy of Information
Needs:
Many in the process want the underlying
science to be at the highest level
 Many in ultimate decision making positions
are far removed from the technical process
and rely on staff for their recommendations
 At the end they want it simplified as much
as possible – ‘Dumb it down!’

What the decision makers really
want at the end of the process:
The Process is a Feedback Loop

As the instream flow assessment process unfolds over
time:
 Process participants want more science based decision
processes
 As the technological knowledge base increases, so does
the demand for the technology increase
 Higher demands are placed on agency, consultancy’s,
and public technological education and competency
 Managers and decision makers are increasingly faced
with more complex integraion of the underlying science
components – Policy Level Separation from the Science
There be Monsters Ahead!

How about a little vocabulary test
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Hydraulic modeling was undertaken with an orthogonal,
curvilinear coordinate system on a staggered grid using
a semi-implicit finite-difference technique assuming a
hydrostatic pressure distribution and shallow flow to
neglect vertical shear to solve the Navier-Stokes
Equations
Habitat assessments were conducted by integrating the
hydrology, hydraulic, and water temperature modeling
using an Individual Based Model using Bioenergetics
coupled to autonomous goal seeking with intra- and
inter-species behavioral rules using cellular automata
Conclusions
Researchers have already
cast much doubt on the
subject and if they continue
their studies we shall soon
know nothing at all.
Mark Twain