Integrated Watershed Management Modeling: Generic Optimization Model Applied to the Ipswich River Basin
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 136, Issue 5
Abstract
A generic integrated watershed management optimization model was developed to efficiently screen a broad range of technical, economic, and policy management options within a watershed system framework and select the optimal combination of management strategies and associated water allocations for designing a sustainable watershed management plan at least cost. The watershed management model integrates both natural and human elements of a watershed system including the management of ground and surface water sources, water treatment and distribution systems, human demands, wastewater treatment and collection systems, water reuse facilities, nonpotable water distribution infrastructure, aquifer storage and recharge facilities, storm water, and land use. The model was formulated as a linear program and applied to the upper Ipswich River Basin in Massachusetts. Our results demonstrate the merits of integrated watershed management by showing (1) the relative efficacy and economic efficiency of undervalued or underutilized management options such as incentive pricing; (2) the value of management strategies that serve several functions such as the benefits of increased infiltration for meeting both storm water and water supply management objectives; and (3) that both human and environmental water needs can be met by simultaneously implementing multiple diverse management tools, which in this case study led to achieving 70% of the recommended in-stream flow with only 25% decrease in net benefits.
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Acknowledgments
The writers thank James Limbrunner for his assistance with the TMDL2K model and the USGS for sharing their IRB data. The writers are also grateful for the comments of three anonymous reviewers, which enabled us to clarify numerous important issues. This material is based on work supported under a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the writer(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.NSFNSF
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© 2010 ASCE.
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Received: Sep 10, 2008
Accepted: Mar 2, 2010
Published online: Mar 5, 2010
Published in print: Sep 2010
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