Water Quality Management During Low-Flow Periods: A Systems Analysis Approach

by Donald F. Hayes, USAE Waterways Experiment Station, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Computerized Decision Support Systems for Water Managers

Abstract:

Water quality objectives may require water managers to consider deviations from original project purposes to provide downstream water quality maintenance during low-flow periods. The decision process is even more complex when operating a system of reservoirs. In such cases, however, the possibility is greatly enhanced that a combination of release strategies exists which provide a solution to the multiobjective problem. This paper investigates the problem of balancing multiple project benefits with water quality objectives for a system of reservoirs during low-flow seasons. An optimization model to address this issue is developed; the primary focus of the model is upon the inclusion of water quality concerns in developing daily operational strategies during low-flow periods. The Cumberland River Basin in northern Tennessee and southern Kentucky is used to illustrate the possibilities for applying such a model.

Subject Headings: Water quality | Water management | Water pollution | Quality control | Optimization models | Water resources | Reservoirs | United States | Tennessee | Kentucky

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