Strategic Renewal of Large Floodplain Rivers

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9613562 Braden The project responded to the NSF/EPA solicitation for proposals for research on the topic of Water and Watersheds. The work will study the renewal of large floodplain river ecosystems which are found in many areas of the United States especially in the Midwestern States. The project will focus on the conditions of the Upper Mississippi River Basin, using a section of the Illinois River as the study site. This river is one of the only three large floodplain river systems that retain an appreciable annual flood pulse. The river also has a high ecological potential which has been diminished by water management practices. A model that will integrate the river hydrology, ecology and economy will be developed for the simulation of the interactions of flood plain and river uses, such as agriculture, navigation, recreation, commercial fishing and forestry, with species carrying capacity. The model will have a policy component that will examine the significance of these uses and water management on systems outcomes. The results from this research will improve the management of the watershed resources and the organizations responsible for it, and the experience will be transferable to other large floodplain river systems. ***