Resilient Flow Regimes in the Rio Grande—Río Bravo Basin

ABSTRACT Water is essential for human development and is an indispensable resource for economic activity and a country's growth. However, current water practices, along with increasing land‐use change, climate change, and agricultural practices, have significantly altered the hydrological cycle and water availability. This study introduces the concept of a resilient flow regime—a flow regime that can absorb certain human‐induced perturbations while preserving ecologically beneficial characteristics of the natural flow regime—and explores its implications for sustainable water management. Using the Rio Grande/Bravo (RGB) basin, a transboundary watershed shared by the U.S. and Mexico, as a case study, the research evaluates the similarities and differences among natural, resilient, and regulated flow regimes. The RGB faces significant water resource challenges due to extensive infrastructure development, overuse, and climate variability. The study identifies three natural streamflow classes in the basin (snowmelt‐driven, monsoon‐driven, and bimodal) and evaluates functional flow metrics across 16 gage stations. Results reveal strong correlations between natural and resilient flow metrics, particularly in magnitude components, while regulated flows deviate more significantly from natural conditions and the statistical analyses show that resilient flow regimes maintain ecological functionality and hydrological integrity, balancing human water needs and ecosystem health. By maintaining or restoring resilient flow conditions, water management strategies can mitigate the adverse impacts of human activities, preserve biodiversity, and promote the long‐term sustainability of riparian ecosystems. This research provides a framework for integrating ecological considerations into water management practices, addressing the challenges of climate change, population growth, and increasing water demands.