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

Abstract

For reservoir operation, maintaining a quasi-natural flow regime can benefit river ecosystems, but may sacrifice human interests. This study took the Qingshitan Reservoir in the Lijiang River as a case, and developed an optimization model to explore a trade-off solution between social-economic interests and nature flow maintenance on a monthly base. The objective function considered irrigation, cruise navigation and water supply aspects. An index of flow alteration degree was proposed to measure the difference between the regulated discharge and the natural flow. The index was then used as an additional constraint in the model besides the conventional constraints on reservoir safety. During model solving, different criteria were applied to the index, representing various degrees of alteration of the natural flow regime in the river. Through the model, a relationship between social-economic interests and flow alteration degree was established. Finally, a trade-off solution of the reservoir operation was defined that led to a favorable social-economic benefit at an acceptable alteration of the natural flow.

Reservoir Operation with Feedback in a Coupled Land Surface and Hydrologic Model: A Case Study of the Huai River Basin, China

“…Overall, two types of reservoir operation methods exist, conventional operation (Chen et al, 2012) and optimal operation (Wu and Chen, 2013). The calculation of optimal operation is complex and time-consuming.…”

Determination of an appropriate ecological hydrograph for a rare fish species using an improved fish habitat suitability model introducing landscape ecology index

“…To offer a holistic protection on ecosystem, in particular the habitat of S. hollandi, of Lijiang River, Chen et al (2012) developed an optimization model to explore a trade-off solution between socialeconomic interests and nature flow maintenance in a monthly base. The model proposed an index of flow alternation degree to measure the difference between the regulated discharge and the natural flow instead of using an ecological hydrograph.…”

“…Apparently, the total volume of floodwater to be retained for the flow processes from the original habitat model is much larger than that from the improved habitat model. Therefore, the flow processes considering habitat quality are more easily incorporated in reservoir management due to the alleviation of floodwater storage, which has been published in Chen et al (2012).…”

Determination of daily eco‐hydrographs by the fish spawning habitat suitability model and application to reservoir eco‐operation

“…In the practical implementation of eco‐friendly reservoir operation, an eco‐hydrograph can serve as a constraint of the optimization model and represent ecological interests (Chen et al , , ).…”