Yield Model for Screening Surface- and Ground-Water Development

An optimization model is developed for selecting between candidate surface-water reservoirs and ground-water development. The model may be used to perform a preliminary screening of alternatives for water-supply development, and to identify storage capacities at reservoir sites, as well as aquifer pumping at candidate locations. A hybrid simulation-optimization strategy is used to consider monthly operation of the reservoir and aquifer system using historical or synthetic hydrologic data. A modified sequent peak algorithm is used for reservoir sizing, and a unit response matrix approach is used to model the ground-water subsystem. A target aggregate firm yield from the surface water–ground water system may be specified. Decisions on the failure of firm yield at each reservoir site during a critical period for streamflow, with a corresponding increase in ground-water pumping such that the system firm yield is maintained are considered. Example applications with data from the Jordan River basin in Utah demo...