Towards best water management policies: how current irrigation reservoir operation practices compare with theory in Alberta

ABSTRACT

Improved reservoir operation policies based on river basin management simulations have typically not been implemented in the field. This article investigates this disconnect between reservoir operations theory and practice. Interviews with water managers in southern Alberta (Canada) reveal that reservoir operations are based on basin-wide cooperation, a focus on the current state of the system without hedging rules, and early-season announcements of water rationing. Model development should focus on multiple time-step optimization approaches that can produce optimal release decisions for various levels of risk, provide better insight into effects of alternative releases and potentially reduce supply shortfalls.

KEYWORDS:

• Irrigation reservoir
• operating rules
• optimization models
• qualitative interviews
• Canada
• Alberta

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the interview participation of water managers, operators and planners from the irrigation districts of southern Alberta and the government of Alberta.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by project funding from the Alberta Land Institute, and from generous financial support to the first author from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the University of Alberta Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, the Canadian Dam Association and the Fonds de Recherche Nature et Technologies du Québec.