(a) Schedule of flow quantities. The environmental flow standards adopted by this subchapter constitute a schedule of flow quantities made up of subsistence flow, base flow, and high flow pulses. Environmental flow standards are established at 20 separate measurement locations in §298.480 of this title (relating to Environmental Flow Standards).
(b) Subsistence flow. The applicable subsistence flow standard varies depending on the seasons as described in §298.455 of this title (relating to Definitions). For a water right holder to which an environmental flow standard applies, at a measurement point that applies to the water right, the water right holder may not store or divert water unless the flow at the measurement point is above the applicable subsistence flow standard for that point. If the flow at the applicable measurement point is above the subsistence flow standard but below the applicable dry condition base flow standard, then the water right holder must allow the applicable subsistence flow, plus 50% of the difference between measured streamflow and the applicable subsistence flow, to pass its measurement point and any remaining flow may be diverted or stored, according to its permit, subject to senior and superior water rights, as long as the flow at the measurement point does not fall below the applicable subsistence flow standard.
(c) Base flow. The applicable base flow level varies depending on the seasons as described in §298.455 of this title and the hydrologic condition described in §298.470 of this title (relating to Calculation of Hydrologic Conditions). For a water right holder to which an environmental flow standard applies, at a measurement point that applies to the water right, the water right holder is subject to the base flow standard for the hydrologic condition prevailing at that time. For all measurement points, the water right will be subject to one of the following: a dry, an average, or a wet base flow standard. For a water right holder to which an environmental flow standard applies, at a measurement point that applies to the water right, when the flow at the applicable measurement point is above the applicable base flow standard, but below any applicable high flow pulse levels, the water right holder may store or divert water according to its permit, subject to senior and superior water rights, as long as the flow at the applicable measurement point does not fall below the applicable base flow standard for that hydrologic condition except during dry conditions as described in subsection (b) of this section.
(d) High flow pulses. High flow pulses are relatively short-duration, high flows within the watercourse that occur during or immediately following a storm event.
  (1) For all measurement points, one, two, three, or four pulses per season are to be passed (i.e., no storage or diversion by an applicable water right holder), if applicable, and as described in §298.480 of this title, if streamflows are above the applicable subsistence or base flow standard, and if the applicable high flow pulse trigger level is met at the applicable measurement point. The water right holder shall not divert or store water until either the applicable volume amount has passed the applicable measurement point or the duration time has passed since the high flow pulse trigger level occurred except during times that streamflow at the applicable measurement point exceeds the applicable high flow pulse trigger level. A water right holder can divert water in excess of an applicable pulse flow trigger requirement as long as its diversions do not prevent the occurrence of the pulse flow trigger level of an applicable larger pulse.
  (2) If the applicable high flow pulse trigger level does not occur in a season, then the water right holder need not stop storing or diverting water to produce a high flow pulse. The water right holder is not required to release water lawfully stored to produce a high flow pulse.
  (3) Each season is independent of the preceding and subsequent seasons with respect to high flow pulse frequency.
  (4) High flow pulses at the applicable measurement point are dependent on the hydrologic conditions set out in §298.470 of this title.
  (5) For measurement points in the Brazos River Basin described in §298.480(7) - (8) of this title, if a pulse flow requirement for the large seasonal pulse is satisfied for a particular season, one of the smaller pulse requirements is also considered to be satisfied for that season.
(e) Stored water. A water right owner that has stored water in accordance with the terms and conditions of its water right, including any applicable environmental flow requirement in effect at the time the water was stored, may divert, release, or use this water, even if the applicable environmental flow requirement is not met at the time of the subsequent diversion, release, or use of that stored water.

Source Note: The provisions of this §298.475 adopted to be effective March 6, 2014, 39 TexReg 1416