 Environmental flows are intended to protect aquatic ecosystems from the negative effects of human activities, such as dams and diversions, which disrupt natural patterns of flow and sediment transport. However, despite increasing awareness of the importance of environmental flows over the past few decades, their implementation has been slowed due to competing priorities and limited resources. This paper examines the barriers to environmental flow implementation, including the lack of adequate hydrological and ecological data, competing priorities, and insufficient capacity and resources. It proposes a system mapping approach to understand the complexities of river systems and suggests using coupled water energy models to support decision making when hydropower generation is involved. Additionally, it recommends a move away from simplistic flow allocations towards a more holistic approach informed by hydroecological principles. This article was authored by Gustavo Fasencani-Douardou, Anna M. Rawlings, and Joshua H. Viz.