A Methodology for Analyzing Alternative Reservoir Sizing, Shortage, and Operating Criteria

by George Oamek, CH2M Hill, United States,
Larry Schluntz, CH2M Hill, United States,
Loren Bottorff, CH2M Hill, United States,
Eldon Johns, CH2M Hill, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Optimizing the Resources for Water Management

Abstract:

The Bureau of Reclamation's shifting emphasis from a construction oriented agency to a water management agency has initiated the development of analytical tools for estimating marginal benefits of alternative reservoir sizes and operating criteria. This paper presents a portion of a new methodological approach for estimating marginal benefits and applies it to a case study. The modeling system developed from this effort links a spreadsheet-based model of reservoir operations to economic models of various demand sectors, including irrigation and M&I uses. Linking the models results in quick response in estimating the annual marginal economic benefits of alternative reservoir sizes (for proposed projects) or alternative reservoir operating criteria (for existing facilities). When applied to a case study of an existing Southern California reservoir, the modeling system estimated the annual benefits of reservoir enlargement.

Subject Headings: Reservoirs | Case studies | Water reclamation | Economic factors | Water management | Water supply systems | Water resources | California | United States

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