An Overview of HANDSS: Hula Aggregated Numerical Decision Support System

The Hula Aggregated Decision Support System (HANDSS) is used to assist decision makers better understand the impacts of alternative decisions in the Hula Valley restoration project in Israel. The critical link in wetlands is the interaction between the surface and ground waters. To properly manage these systems, this link must be understood. To this end, a numerical model of flow in groundwater/surface water systems was developed. This model was incorporated in a decision support system (DSS). The decisions at Lake Hula are to determine releases through a series of unlined canals. Infiltration through the canals maintains groundwater levels in the underlying peat soils. Optimization models are available in HANDSS to provide management guidance. The last component of HANDSS is visualization packages that are used to allow fast interpretation of alternative management decisions.