Water Prism: A Tool to Assess Water Availability Risk and Investigate Water Management Strategies

Abstract

Water availability risk is a local issue best understood with watershed‐scale quantification of both withdrawal and consumptive demands in the context of available supply. Collectively, all water use sectors must identify, understand, and respond to this risk. A highly visual and computationally robust decision support tool, Water Prism, quantitatively explores mitigation responses to water risk on both a facility‐level and basin‐aggregated basis. Water Prism examines a basin water balance for a 40‐ to 60‐year planning horizon, distinguishes among water use sectors, and accounts for ecosystem water needs. The 2012 Texas State Water Plan was used to apply Water Prism to the Big Cypress‐Sulphur Basin (Texas). The case study showed Water Prism to be an accurate and convenient tool to provide fine‐scale understanding of water use in the context of available supply, evaluate multi‐sector combinations of conservation strategies, and quantify the effects of future demands and water availability. Analyses demonstrated water availability risks for rivers and reservoirs can vary within a basin and must be calculated independently, simulation of water balance conditions can help illuminate potential impacts of increasing demands, and scenario simulations can be used to evaluate relative conservation efficacy of different water resource management strategies for each sector. Based on case study findings, Water Prism can serve as a useful assessment tool for regional water planners.

A modified CVaR‐based interval coordination model for economic benefit and pollutant discharge

“…However, in recent years, the risk of water shortages and increasing water demands in various sectors have intensified competition and conflict in the allocation of water resources (Roozbahani et al, 2015). Many water sectors are increasing their activities to identify opportunities for reducing water availability risk (Weintraub et al, 2017). Some studies have developed models to address the problems of water scarcity and equity.…”

“…availability risk (Weintraub et al, 2017). Some studies have developed models to address the problems of water scarcity and equity.…”