Technical Papers
Dec 2, 2011

Short-Term Reservoir Storage Frequency Relationships

Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 138, Issue 6

Abstract

The water rights analysis package (WRAP) is a generalized river/reservoir system simulation model that is routinely applied in Texas in regional and statewide planning studies and administration of the water right permit system. The WRAP modeling system was recently expanded by adding short-term storage frequency and supply reliability analysis capabilities. Individual reservoirs and multiple-reservoir systems can be analyzed considering numerous water users and complex water management practices. The new modeling features are based on dividing the hydrologic period-of-analysis into many short-simulation sequences with each starting with the same storage conditions. Two alternative frequency/reliability analysis methodologies, called the equal-weight and probability-array options, are compared in this paper with a case-study application. The probability array option is designed to improve the accuracy of storage frequency estimates by modeling hydrologic persistence as reflected in the preceding reservoir storage contents on the basis of a regression of natural streamflow versus preceding storage from a long-term simulation.

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Acknowledgments

This paper is based on research conducted at Texas A&M University sponsored by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Brazos River Authority, and Texas Water Resources Institute. Funding support and guidance provided by these agencies is gratefully acknowledged. However, the contents of this paper do not necessarily reflect the views or endorsement of these research sponsors.

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Published In

Go to Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 138Issue 6November 2012
Pages: 597 - 605

History

Received: Feb 15, 2011
Accepted: Nov 30, 2011
Published online: Dec 2, 2011
Published in print: Nov 1, 2012

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Authors

Affiliations

Ralph A. Wurbs [email protected]
P.E.
F.ASCE
Professor, Civil Engineering Dept., Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX 77843 (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]
Spencer T. Schnier [email protected]
A.M.ASCE
Ph.D. Candidate, Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept., Univ. of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801. E-mail: [email protected]
Hector E. Olmos [email protected]
P.E.
M.ASCE
Civil Engineer, Freese and Nichols, 4055 International Plaza, Fort Worth, TX 76109. E-mail: [email protected]

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