Frameworks for amending reservoir water management

Authors

Ethan Mower
Leandro E. Miranda

Publication Date

9-2013

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Managing water storage and withdrawals in many reservoirs requires establishing seasonal targets for water levels (i.e., rule curves) that are influenced by regional precipitation and diverse water demands. Rule curves are established as an attempt to balance various water needs such as flood control, irrigation, and environmental benefits such as fish and wildlife management. The processes and challenges associated with amending rule curves to balance multiuse needs are complicated and mostly unfamiliar to non-US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) natural resource managers and to the public. To inform natural resource managers and the public we describe the policies and process involved in amending rule curves in USACE reservoirs, including 3 frameworks: a general investigation, a continuing authority program, and the water control plan. Our review suggests that water management in reservoirs can be amended, but generally a multitude of constraints and competing demands must be addressed before such a change can be realized.

Publisher

Lake and Reservoir Management

Recommended Citation

Mower, Ethan and Leandro E. Miranda. "Frameworks for amending reservoir water management." (2013). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/uc_rio_chama/10