Several recent technological and generational changes have led to the need for improved approaches to riverine habitat modeling and more comprehensive environmental flow assessments.
The Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) described an impact assessment framework but did not create the comprehensive software which would allow for a complete implementation of that framework.
SEFA, System for Environmental Flow Analysis, is software that implements the substance of the IFIM. SEFA has been created through a collaboration of the primary creative forces behind the principal versions of existing physical habitat simulation software. Bob Milhous (PHABSIM), Ian Jowett (RHYHABSIM), and Tom Payne (RHABSIM) have contributed their considerable experience acquired through development and use of these programs. In a single Windows 7 and Windows 11 – compatible 32-bit and 64 bit program currently available for purchase on this site, SEFA contains one dimensional habitat hydraulics analysis, bioenergetic modelling, habitat suitability criteria development, water temperature modeling, sediment transport analysis, dissolved oxygen modeling, riparian modeling, and hydrologic and habitat time series analysis. There is also a program (ADCP2RHBX) to assist in converting ADCP data into a form suitable for input to SEFA.
SEFA has the ability to apply multivariate habitat models, as well as the standard habitat suitability criteria. Software for the development of these models, as well as other statistical analysis functions, is available for free. A not-for-profit technical and educational support structure will ensure continuity into the future for the critical science of instream flow evaluation and environmental flow protection.
