Upper and Middle Suwannee MFLs Peer Review

The Suwannee River Water Management District is currently conducting a peer review for the Upper and Middle Suwannee River minimum flows and levels (MFLs).

The process will involve expert review of the technical work presented in the MFL reports for the Upper and Middle Suwannee River segments – the 79-mile Upper Suwannee River segment that extends from the Florida-Georgia line to near the confluence with the Withlacoochee River near Ellaville, and the 92-mile Middle Suwannee River segment from Ellaville to Wilcox, near Fanning Springs. 

MFLs are a means to ensure water is available for the present and future, as well as prevent significant harm to the area’s natural resources.

The District performs the technical work for developing MFLs to evaluate changes in spring and river flows or lake levels; and impacts those changes have on floodplain wetlands, fish and invertebrate habitat, aquatic vegetation communities, recreation, and more.

If MFLs, such as those proposed for the Upper and Middle Suwannee River, are not met, then the origin of impacts to flows or levels are assessed, creating opportunities to engage with stakeholders to identify strategies for restoration and long-term protection. 

Meeting Schedule

• Kickoff Meeting - March 15, 2023
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes
  • Presentations
    • Upper and Middle Suwannee River MFLs Peer Review
    • Upper and Middle Suwannee River MFLs Draft Results
    • Sunshine Laws for Peer Review Meetings
  • Public Comment
• Meeting #2 - April 19, 2023
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes
  • Initial Peer Review Comments
• Meeting #3 - May 2, 2023
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes
  • Peer Review WebBoard
  • Peer Review Draft Comments
  • Draft Outline of Peer Review Consensus Report
• Meeting #4 - May 16, 2023
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes
    • Additional Public Comment received before May 31 deadline
• Meeting #5 - June 23, 2023
  • Meeting Agenda 
  • Draft Upper and Middle Suwannee River MFL Peer Review Report
  • Peer Review Forms
  • Meeting Minutes

Peer Review WebBoard

In addition to virtual meetings, the peer reviewers will participate in a series of WebBoard meetings. This allows public access and viewing of communications among the members of the body whose meeting is being noticed.  During these meetings, the members may post and review written comments, questions, documents, edits to documents, and other matters. While the WebBoard contents are available at all times, new content for review and discussion will only be allowed at the noticed times below. 

• May 4 - 1 p.m.
  • Meeting Minutes
• May 8 - 1 p.m.
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes
• May 9 - 1 p.m.
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes
• May 11 - 1 p.m.
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes
• May 15 - 1 p.m.
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes
• May 16 - 1 p.m.
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes
• May 18 - 1 p.m.
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes
• May 25 - 1 p.m.
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes
• June 1 - 1 p.m.
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes
• June 5 - 1 p.m.
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes
• June 8 - 1 p.m.
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Minutes

The WebBoard can be accessed here. 

Upper and Middle Suwannee River MFL Peer Review Documents

Draft Upper and Middle Suwannee River MFL Peer Review Report 

Final Upper and Middle Suwannee River MFL Peer Review Report

Peer Review Forms

Technical Documents for Upper Suwannee River MFL Peer Review

Upper Suwannee River MFL Draft Report for Peer Review

Appendices  

Technical Documents for Middle Suwannee River MFL Peer Review

Middle Suwannee River MFL Draft Report for Peer Review

Appendix I

Appendix II

Appendix III

Appendix IV

Appendix V

Appendix VI

Appendix VII

Appendix VIII

Appendix IX

Appendix X