Model for Flow Augmentation Analysis—An Overview

Improved management practices are vitally needed. One powerful management tool is systems analysis, by which mathematical optimization techniques are employed to effect rational tradeoffs between competing demands for water use. Systems analysis, before it can be employed comprehensively, demands a knowledge of the functional value of irrigation, flood control, municipal water supply, and so on. Little is known of the economic implications of low flow augmentation, one of the important water-use categories. Beginning with the premise that the value of low flow augmentation is measured by sewage treatment costs avoided, a hydrologic flow simulator and a water quality linear programming model were interfaced to develop a procedure for determining a lower bound on the value of augmentation. This generalized approach can be applied by others to their specific water pollution control situations.