An Optimization Approach for Balancing Human and Ecological Flow Needs

Abstract

Balancing human and environmental water resource needs is critical to environmental sustainability. In this paper two concepts are advanced. First, a methodology is introduced to evaluate water management policies and their impacts on the characteristics of both instream flow and water supply reliability. The concept of an "ecodeficit" is introduced to quantify the impact of changes to the natural flow regime resulting from human withdrawals. This metric provides a numerical and graphical representation of the tradeoff between human and ecological needs for available water. Second, we evaluate an approach that involves both simulation and optimization of alternative reservoir release policies. We demonstrate that by refining the quantity and timing of reservoir releases the reliability of a water supply yield can be substantially maintained while improving the satisfaction of ecological flows requirements. These two concepts are early applications of a more comprehensive ecological water supply management approach currently under development.

Regional energy markets and the cost of natural flow dam operation

“…Since then many articles and two reviews [12,14] have appeared, which is a testimony to the continuing importance of the topic.…”

Ecologically-friendly operation scheme for the Jinping cascaded reservoirs in the Yalongjiang River, China

“…Most of the previous studies considered ecological flow needs by incorporating a hard constraint of a constant minimum flow rate (Homa et al, 2005). However such treatment has encountered serious argument, because in-stream flow requirements are far more complex than a fixed aquatic base flow requirement (Shiau and Wu, 2006;Smith et al, 2007).…”

“…Ecologically-friendly reservoir operation aims to preserve habitat conditions in downstream sections as much as possible (Homa et al, 2005;Chen et al, 2012). However, the major function of the JP cascaded reservoirs is hydropower production.…”

“…General descriptions on the subject can be found in Labadie (2004) and Castelletti et al (2008). Optimization models for ecologically-friendly reservoir operation were further proposed by taking into account the EFR of the downstream reach (Wurbs, 1993;Homa et al, 2005). The EFR can be added as an additional constraint in the optimization model (Castelletti et al, 2008), or as another objective supplementing economic objectives (Yin and Yang, 2011).…”

Optimizing the operation of the Qingshitan Reservoir in the Lijiang River for multiple human interests and quasi-natural flow maintenance

“…Homa et al (2005) summarized that most of the studies proposed to release a minimum constant flow in reservoir operation to assure the basic requirements of stream ecosystems. Cardwell et al (1996) presented a model with focus on protecting various typical fish and derived 12 different optimal policies on * Corresponding author.…”