PUB00104

• Year: 1995
• Title: Exploring Ways of Increasing the Use of South Platte Water - Information Series 41
• Author: John W. Labadie & John M. Shafer
• Description: Technology described here for evaluating options in management of reservoir-stream water supply systems was developed in the water research program of the CWRRI.
• Publications - Doc Type: Tech Report

01 a given volume 01 water as It is stored, transported.
dlstrrbuted and reused. The model also musl be able
to simulate each of many possible combinations 01
reservo" releases IIIat could physically satisfy ex-
Isting and prOfected demands. Including Instream
flow. It also must be venfied as an accura te and
reliable model by duplicating the hlstorrc behavior 01
the real system.

MODEL SPECtFICATIONS
The model should be capable 01 simulating a
.complex river basin system by monthly tline
Increments over a perrod of several years Monthly
'increments provide sufficient accuracy lor plan-
, nirig purposes and monthly hydrological data are
.,readily available. The purpose 01 the modet IS to
provide state and local water planners or
i'managers with an easy-to-use tool for evaluating
it,h.~..effect.s of water management options and
,changes iei system operation for the" effects on
,;water availability at all critical locations in a basin.
:..'Existing or planned priorities. (including legal)
.amo'ng vanous beneficial uses of wafer must be
"'Carefully preserved Special training or skill in
<computer operation should not be necessary In
:use of the model.
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I_HistOrlc<lIRiverFlow
r -----SimulatedRiveI" Flow

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RELIABILITY OF MODEL

To explore possibilities 01 maximizing water usage
of sub-basins In the Colorado Front Range, a com-
puterrzed hydrotoglc computation (simulation model)
was developed, uSing the Cache La Poudre River as
a case.

The strong advantage of a model
is that. . . options can be tested
without diswption of the actual
system.

An extremely Important slep In simulation IS model
calibration. If fhe model can reasonably duplicate the
behavior of the real system. conlidence is developed
in its reliability. Computations that resutt In river flow
which reasonably match historical records 01 Ilow
indicate the model will correctly predict the Impacts
of changes In reservoir operation. The strong advan-
tage 01 a model IS that operational options can be
tested Without disruption of the actual sysfem. The
expense 01 developing and using a simulation model
IS negligible compared to the expense of cut-and-try
changes In the real sysfem.

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Figure 1. Computer Simulation Flow vs. Historical Flows after Model Calibration.

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