This study develops and applies a simple linear optimization program to identify cost effective Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce phosphorus loading to Echo Reservoir, Utah. The optimization program tests the feasibility of proposed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) allocations based on potential BMP options and provides information regarding the spatial redistribution of loads among sub-watersheds. The current version of the TMDL for Echo reservoir allocates phosphorus loads to existing non-point phosphorus sources in different sub-watersheds to meet a specified total load. Optimization results show that it is feasible to implement BMPs for non-point sources in each sub-watershed to meet reduction targets at a cost of $1.0 million. However, relaxing these targets can achieve the overall target at lower cost. The optimization program and results provide a simple tool to test the feasibility of proposed TMDL allocations based on potential BMP options and can also recommend spatial redistributions of loads among sub-watersheds to lower costs.

In this case study activity, students will use the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) system to simulate and determine appropriate reservoir carryover storage policies in the Weber River Basin, Utah. Specifically, students will (i) enter demand and reservoir data to complete a WEAP systems model for the Weber River Basin, (ii) specify several scenarios representing different reservoir storage and release policies, (iii) simulate the effects of the different policies, and (iv) identify the resulting reservoir storages and allocation of shortages to water demand sites.

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