Prioritizing Flow Alternatives for Social Objectives

Most mathematical modeling efforts in water resources fall far short of adequately including social and environmental objectives. Although many modelers have good intentions at the start of their analyses, the objective functions and constraint sets do not provide a good mechanism for addressing these resource issues. Results from a three‐reservoir network simulation model are numerically rated for impact upon 22 natural resource attributes associated with seven resource objectives. Priority weighting of individual resource objectives is included, as well as the ranking of importance for each attribute to its respective resource objective. The technique described provides a quantitative and objective approach to evaluate flow regulation alternatives. Input from special interest groups, the general public, and concerned individuals, as well as professionals in each resource area, are a part of the overall analysis. The simple technique provides a screening tool to identify good and bad flow alternatives. An example is provided for a three‐reservoir system at Voyageurs National Park on the Minnesota and Canadian border.