Decision Support System for Local Water Management

Although technologically advanced methods have been used to manage large water resource systems, there is both a need and an opportunity for application of similar techniques at the level of the individual user. With a microcomputer as the computational tool, a decision support system (DSS) is developed for use by local water managers, where the appropriative water rights doctrine applies and irrigation is the primary water use. The DSS consists of data files describing the water rights, water use, and hydrologic systems integrated with simulation models for soil moisture and river routing in response to irrigation diversions and inflows. The model allows projection of irrigation demands and assessment of the effects of distribution strategies on flow in the river system. Operation of the DSS is demonstrated on a small, hypothetical river system. Even though the hardware and software appear to be suitable to the task, actual application may depend on cooperation among users and be limited to providing advice on amount and timing of irrigation.