Keeping streams flowing: In-stream flow issues involve water development, the environment, and even snakes and dinosaur tracks.

A new line of reasoning is emerging that says in-stream flows are valuable to protect and maintain fishery habitats, recreation, commerce, navigation, water quality and hydroelectricity generation. In-stream flow issues will continue to be an important issue in Texas as the needs for developing water supplies and protecting the environment increase. There are opportunities to reach compromise solutions that protect both interests. From a research perspective, techniques for determining in-stream flows must be further refined so that the agencies and scientists developing in-stream flow needs arrive at more comparable results. Consideration should be given to more clearly defining in-stream water rights in Texas.