A hydrologic connectivity index for jurisdictional analysis of headwater streams in a montane watershed

A hydrologic connectivity index (HCI) was developed to aid the US Clean Water Act Section 404 jurisdictional evaluation of headwater streams in montane watersheds, using the Cement Creek Watershed in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado as a case study. Jurisdictional determinations are required for many intermittent and ephemeral streams, where significant nexus with downstream traditional navigable waters (TNWs) must be evaluated. Three biophysical metrics (a streamflow metric, distance from the stream to the TNW, and slope between the stream and the TNW) for 239 streams in the watershed were used to develop three indices. These were then combined to develop the HCI, which is a compound, additive index. There was a large range of HCI values for ephemeral streams, which all require a significant nexus evaluation to determine jurisdiction. Statistical analysis of HCI values across stream duration and order classes showed that mean values differed significantly among classes. The flow index component constituted the greatest proportion of the HCI for perennial streams, was sensitive to the flow metrics used, and was greatest for high flows. Although ephemeral streams are only connected to the TNW less than 3 months of the year, the cumulative average annual flow contribution of ephemeral first-order streams can be 5% of the total to the TNW, and their flow contribution is larger during high flows. Some ephemeral streams with high HCI values are farthest from the TNW but contribute the greatest flow out of all ephemeral reaches, and may have significant nexus with the river. The study shows that the HCI can be useful for initial evaluation of connectivity, significant nexus, and jurisdiction of headwaters at the watershed scale.