Modelling interactions between reservoir system operating objectives

ABSTRACT

A water availability modelling system implemented in the state of Texas in the United States consists of the generalized Water Rights Analysis Package, which can be applied to river/reservoir systems throughout the world, and datasets for all the river basins of Texas. A monthly version of the modelling system has contributed greatly to improving water allocation and statewide and regional water planning. A recently developed daily version adds capabilities for simulating flood control operations and environmental flow requirements. The simulation study reported here employed the daily modelling system to explore the interactions between the multiple-purposes served by a 12-reservoir system owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Brazos River Authority. Interactions between this reservoir system and numerous other water users and reservoirs in the Brazos River Basin are also reflected in the model. The investigation focuses on relationships between water supply, hydropower, flood control, and environmental flow needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Reservoir system operations
• environmental flows
• hydropower generation
• flood control
• water supply

Acknowledgement

The paper is based on research at Texas A&M University. The information and conclusions presented in the paper are the responsibility of the authors without implication of official endorsement by any of agencies or individuals. The first author gratefully acknowledges support toward the research from the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works of Turkey.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).