Toward improved simulation of river operations through integration with a hydrologic model
Advanced modeling tools are needed for informed water resources planning and management. Two classes of modeling tools are often used to this end (1) distributed parameter hydrologic models for quantifying supply and (2) river operation models for sorting out demands under rule based systems such as the prior appropriation doctrine. Within each of these two broad classes of models, there are many software tools that excel at simulating the processes specific to each discipline, but have historically over simplified, or at worse completely neglected, aspects of the other. As a result, water managers reliant on river operation models for administering water resources need improved tools for representing spatially and temporally varying groundwater resources in conjunctive use systems. A new tool is described that improves the representation of groundwater/surface water (GW SW) interaction within a river operations modeling context and, in so doing, advances evaluation of system wide hydrologic consequences of new or altered management regimes. Display Omitted The river/reservoir operations model MODSIM is coupled to MODFLOW.Models simulate physics based hydrology and priority/rule based water allocation.Coupling uses a Picard iteration and an implicit, mass conservative solution.Model simulates conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater.Helps evaluate groundwater sustainability resulting from alternative management.
Environ. Model. Softw.