Predicted number of years from 1993 - 2014 with conditions suitable for submersed aquatic vegetation based on light availability and water level fluctuations for the Upper Mississippi River System (lower submersed aquatic vegetation boundary elevation scenario)

The objective of this work is to delineate areas in the Upper Mississippi River System where the combined effects of water clarity and water level fluctuation conditions are not limiting the establishment and persistence of submersed aquatic vegetation. We note that other factors, such as herbivory or high current velocity may actively prevent establishment of submersed aquatic vegetation in areas of the Upper Mississippi River System, and that this analysis is based on physical constraints imposed by water clarity and water level fluctuation only. Total suspended solids information was collected by the Upper Mississippi River Restoration program, and water level information was collected by the United State Army Corps of Engineers [...]