A Multicriteria Group Decision Model to Support Watershed Committees in Brazil

The involvement of multiple decision makers in water resources management can be very complex, involving the possibilities of conflicts amongst the stakeholders and the influence of powerful members over the preference of others. The inherent characteristic of decisions also increases this complexity due to many alternatives being involved and there being multiple criteria. Some of these criteria conflict with each other and the consequences of which will have great impact on those involved and on third parties. Therefore, a group decision support system model based on multicriteria analysis can be a powerful tool to support this kind of management. This study presents a tool to support the committee responsible for the management of the watersheds in Brazil in order to promote decentralization and the participation of all involved in the water resources management. The tool provides a ranking of alternatives for the environmental recuperation of the watershed through the use of the multicriteria method PROMETHEE II. For each decision maker, the alternatives were ranked and then the individual rankings were combined into a global ranking which contained the preferences of the whole group.     

Integrated Use of a Continuous Simulation Model and Multi-Attribute Decision-Making for Ranking Urban Watershed Management Alternatives

The objective of this paper is to introduce a continuous simulation-based screening procedure for ranking urban watershed management alternatives using multi-attribute decision making (MADM). The procedure integrates continuous urban runoff simulation results from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) with the use of an alternative evaluation index (AEI) and MADM techniques, following the driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) approach. The analytic hierarchy process estimates the weights of the criteria, and SWMM results are used to quantify the effects of the management alternatives on water quantity and quality metrics. In addition, the tendency of AEI to reflect resident preferences toward management objectives is incorporated to include stakeholder participation in the decision-making process. This systematic decision support process is demonstrated for a Korean urban watershed. According to the AEI, seven alternatives were divided into three groups: poor (0∼0.3), acceptable (0.3∼0.6), and good (0.6∼1). The use of multiple MADM techniques provided a consistency check. The demonstration illustrates the ability of the continuous simulation-based MADM approach to provide decision makers with a ranking of suitable urban watershed management alternatives which incorporate stakeholder feedback.     

Examining the Possibilities: Generating Alternative Watershed-Scale BMP Designs with Evolutionary Algorithms

Recent studies in water resources planning and management show a gradual shift in the state of the art from numerous on-site structural stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) designs to watershed-scale BMP design approaches that meet both target water quantity (peak flow) and quality (sediment reduction) criteria. Such regionally-strategic approaches are not only cost-effective but emphasize comprehensive, holistic watershed-scale management, an idea strongly promoted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) since the early 1990s. Implementing a watershed-scale design can prove difficult when decision-makers have differing and sometimes conflicting objectives. We present a methodology that integrates the semi-distributed watershed model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) with an evolutionary algorithm, Species Conserving Genetic Algorithm (SCGA). In addition to identifying an optimal watershed-scale BMP design (e.g., type, size, location), SCGA simultaneously produces several near-optimal design alternatives using a user-specified distance metric. We demonstrate this decision-oriented framework on a watershed in southern Illinois. Results of this application yield several high-quality alternative designs appropriate for solving integrated watershed management problems.     

Spatial Decision Support System for Watershed Management

A prototype spatial decision support system (SDSS) is presented for watershed management. The SDSS integrates landuse/landcover derived from the remote sensing data, real-time hydrological data, geographic information system, and a model-based subsystem for computing soil loss, land capability classification and engineering measures. A graphical user interface has been developed to allow effective use by decision makers. The model-based subsystem employs a process-based soil erosion model to compute soil loss in spatial environment. Computed pixel-based soil loss information is an input to the land capability classification and watershed management modules. The developed SDSS can help the end users in avoiding the laborious procedures of soil erosion calculations and analysing various thematic layers to get suitable watershed management practices. The SDSS for watershed management is applied to the Tones watershed in India to compute soil loss, to prioritise watersheds, and to suggest various watershed management practices.     

北京市水环境现状及流域综合治理措施

从流域尺度研究北京市水环境时空特征,综合分析流域水环境现状.研究结果表明:北京市流域水环境质量时空异质性显著,上游流域地表水水质显著优于下游流域,地表水体流经中心城区后,水质开始恶化,表明中心城区仍是流域污染的主要来源.2018-2019年地表水水质类别月际间波动明显,表明地表水体并未持续改善,为陆域非点源和点源污染输...     

山东省水源地水质与生态安全研究

在人类活动和全球气候变化的影响下,山东省面临着水质恶化、地下水超采、河道断流、水土流失严重等威胁水源地水质和生态安全的严峻问题。为此提出了以下对策:①制定流域总体规划方案,加强以流域为单位的生态环境整治;②加强水源地管理,严格控制水污染;③建立和完善流域生态补偿机制,促进区域生态环境修复与重建;④着力开展水源地生态环境调查,加强水源地生态安全机制研究;⑤加强环保宣传,提高群众参与意识。     

新安江上游流域SWAT模型的构建及适用性评价

以新安江上游屯溪流域为研究区域,建立了SWAT模型的气象、土壤、土地利用和农作物管理等数据库,并利用2000-2010年逐月实测的径流、泥沙及非点源溶解态氮负荷数据进行了多参数、多站点的率定和验证,使用多目标(纳氏系数、线性相关系数和相对误差)对模型适用性进行了评价。结果表明:径流模拟效果非常好,泥沙和营养盐模拟结果令人满意,SWAT模型在屯溪流域适用性较好,可以模拟分析该地区的非点源污染问题,研究所构建的数据库和率定的参数可为进一步研究新安江流域的水环境管理提供科学依据和决策支持。     

蜚克图河流域上游生态系统胁迫与生态修复

文章分析了蜚克图河流域工程建设、林草植被破坏、土壤侵蚀、水质污染、超负荷用水等使流域生态系统面临的威胁。为减轻人为对流域生态系统的胁迫,发挥生态自我修复功能,实现流域的可持续发展出发,提出结合国土综合整治,加强流域生态修复工程建设和流域全面管理的流域建设管理模式。     

Evaluating the Impact of Policy-induced Land Use Management Practices on Non-point Source Pollution Using a Spatial Decision Support System

Abstract

State and federal conservation compliance policies in the United States are aimed, in part, at reducing non-point pollution and maintaining long-term agricultural productivity. These policies affect land use and management practices on the nation's farms. Farms and farmers, however, are part of a larger agri-ecological system and changes in farming practices affect linked socio-economic, biologic, and hydrologic systems. It is difficult, therefore, to foresee the wide ranging and long-term consequences that are set into motion by changes in agricultural policy. Yet, these consequences must be understood if we are to avoid the deleterious side effects or capture the collateral benefits associated with specific policies. A Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) has been developed here to help understand some of these consequences within the context of watershed management and the control of non-point source pollution. This SDSS consists of a Geographic Information System (GIS), two spatial models (GEOLP and AGNPS), and a graphical user interface. The purpose of this SDSS is to assist decision-makers as they investigate the impact of agricultural policy on non-point source pollution and the local economy. The SDSS is used to simulate the potential impacts of alternative policy scenarios in the Big Creek watershed. The models and methodologies described here, however, are general and can provide benefits to a variety of decision-makers engaged in watershed management and the reduction of non-point pollution.     

Multi-Criteria Analysis of Water Allocation Scenarios in a Water Scarce Basin

In 2015, a “Post-2015 Development Agenda” is defined for future global developments in water management. The proposed goal is referred to as SDG’s or Sustainable Development Goals, which will balance the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development with a strong linkage between environment and socio-economic goals. One of the major concepts of SDG’s is water security, which is the basic element of the Global Goal on Water, now defined as: “Securing Sustainable Water for All”. The proposal for a Global Goal for Water is associated with targets and indicators to help countries reach the goal by 2030. Among the five main targets specified, two major ones emphasize “water allocation” as an important support of water security, particularly in conditions of water security. This paper focuses on this latter issue in the case of water scarce Gediz Basin along the Aegean coast of Turkey, where irrigation is the major water consuming activity. In addition to allocation of water among other water use sectors and irrigation, it is important in the basin how irrigation water is allocated to various crops, as previous droughts struck crop yields the most. Thus, 16 alternative allocation scenarios are developed to assess the crop yield produced by each scenario. These alternatives are represented by social, economic and environmental indicators as criteria for selection the most favorable alternative. The selection is realized by Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) methodology, using the Reference Point Approach (RPA). In terms of methodology, presented paper shows that RPA is a powerful tool to guide engineers and decision makers to rationally select among several possible alternatives in water allocation.     

Evaluation of Non-point Source Loads in the Reservoir Watershed using the GIS/GPS/RS Information Technologies and Numerical Models

Abstract

One of the recent concerns of reservoir eutrophication issues focuses on a fast assessment of the non-point sources pollution impact. It frequently requires an initial evaluation of the land use pattern and the reservoir assimilative capacity. This information is useful for estimating the non-point source loads, assessing the proper uses of natural resources in the watershed, and generating the essential control strategies when required. To achieve this goal, the state-of-the-art 3S information technologies, which properly integrates the skills of geographic information system (GIS), global positioning system (GPS) and remote sensing (RS), is viewed as an integrated means for reservoir land use assessment and watershed management. Substantial efforts in this study are placed upon identifying seven types of land use patterns in the watershed of the Tseng-Wen Reservoir in Southern Taiwan, which would directly assist in the required estimation of non-point sources pollution impact. With the aid of SPOT satellite images, Erdas Imagine⁰ image processing system, and ArcView⁰ GIS, the numerical model based on the export coefficient method yields an estimation of non-point source loads on a yearly basis with respect to four target constituents. These constituents of interest consist of total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and total suspended solid (TSS). The analysis of assimilative capacity of the Tseng-Wen Reservoir based on various types of numerical models is also included for the evaluation of the eutrophication issue. Advanced management strategies with regard to the proper use of assimilative capacity of the Tseng-Wen Reservoir and the land resources in the watershed are then discussed in terms of three classified impact levels of non-point sources in the watershed. The methodology is proved practical, promising, and effective for assessing the eutrophication issue in the reservoir watershed within a short period of time     

乡村河流生态的保护途径 ——流域非点源污染防治

随着点源污染控制的加强,非点源污染逐步成为我国乡村流域污染物构成的主体。在分析乡村流域非点源污染主要类型以及非点源污染对乡村河流生态系统影响的基础上,提出建立流域层面上的农村非点源污染管理模式,着重分析了最佳管理措施BMPs相关技术并建立了在流域层面上管理乡村河流的工作步骤,该工作流程有助于建立乡村非点源污染防治规划的框架体系。     

AGNPS-based Assessment of the Impact of BMPs on Nitrate-Nitrogen Discharging into an Illinois Water Supply Lake

Abstract

The Agricultural Non-Point-Source Pollution (AGNPS) model was used to simulate storm-generated rainfall-runoff and distribution of nitrate-nitrogen (nitrate-N) concentration in the Upper Sangamon River basin draining into Lake Decatur in Decatur, Illinois. This water supply reservoir for the city of Decatur receives water from the 2,400-square-kilometer Lake Decatur agricultural watershed and has high nitrate-N concentrations periodically exceeding the 10 milligram per liter drinking water standard of the U.S. and Illinois Environmental Protection Agencies (USEPA and IEPA). Using monitored and estimated data, the model was calibrated and validated to predict closely-observed runoff volumes and nitrate-N concentrations. Sensitive model parameters were identified. The calibrated model was used to evaluate the effects of different agricultural and watershed management practices (BMPs) for reducing nitrate-N discharge into the lake. Model parameters were identified to represent the BMPs. Model results showed variations of nitrate-N discharge into the lake with respect to different BMPs and BMP applications at different areas of the watershed. The model was found useful in the preliminary evaluations of the BMPs in the Lake Decatur watershed for reducing nitrate-N discharge into the lake. The BMP evaluation approach and the results may be useful to users of the AGNPS model and other non-point-source pollution models. Model limitations must be kept in mind in interpreting the results from this empirically-based model and in using them to solve practical problems.     

Assessing emergency regulation technology in the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project,China

Abstract

The Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project is important for China. Any sudden water pollution accident along the route would threaten normal water supply. We studied four technologies (hydrodynamic and water quality simulation, source identification, emergency regulation, and evaluation of emergency measures) and developed and implemented a decision support system that provides technical support in managing pollution accidents. The achievements, which include four technologies and a system, have practical significance for emergency management in the Middle Route as they can help deal with accidents and policy formulation, and can be applied to other water transfer projects.     

Integrated watershed management in Michigan: Challenges and proposed solutions

Michigan's current water management system is highly decentralized and based more on jurisdictional than watershed boundaries. There is both environmental and economic justification to examine alternate water resource management approaches given the current system's potential for inefficiency and redundancy. Our research addresses a central question: How might an integrated watershed governance system be applied in Michigan, where jurisdictional authority and political will are fragmented both horizontally across agencies and vertically across scales? We identify the key challenges facing Michigan's current approach to managing water resources and then describe two alternatives, referred to as Integrated Watershed Commissions (IWCs), which would coordinate water resource management and decision making on a watershed basis. The first alternative represents a relatively radical departure from the state's current structure, an “unconstrained” vision for comprehensive watershed management, which is not bound by the state's present political and management limitations. The second alternative, a more conservative or “constrained” vision for watershed coordination, operates primarily within Michigan's existing governance structures, and therefore includes mostly incremental change. For each alternative, we propose watershed boundaries and management structures, and discuss possible benefits and caveats. We also identify plausible next steps that can be taken in the near future, short of IWC implementation, that may catalyze water management reform and enhance coordination and collaboration in managing water resources in Michigan.     

An Interval Fuzzy Multiobjective Watershed Management Model for the Lake Qionghai Watershed, China

Integrated watershed management is required to ensure the reasonable use of resources and reconcile interactions among natural and human systems. In the present study, an interval fuzzy multiobjective programming (IFMOP) method was used to solve an integrated watershed management problem. Based on system analysis, an IFMOP model suitable for a lake watershed system {IFMOPLWS} was developed and applied to the Lake Qionghai watershed in China. Scenario analysis and an interactive approach were used in the solution process. In this manner, various system components were incorporated into one framework for holistic consideration and optimization. Integrality and uncertainty, as well as the multiobjective and dynamic characteristics of the watershed system, were well addressed. Using two scenarios, two planning schemes were generated. Agriculture, tourism, macroeconomics, cropland use, water supply, forest coverage, soil erosion, and water pollution were fully interpreted and compared to identify a preferable planning alternative for local agencies. This study showed that the IFMOPLWS is a powerful tool for integrated watershed management planning and can provide a solid base for sustainable watershed management.     

The Role of Technology in A Holistic Approach for Water Quality Conservation in Basins: The Lerma-Chapala Case

Abstract

Water quality conservation in river basins calls for a useful decision support tool as well as a holistic approach in which the development and application of appropiate technology plays an important role in adequately understanding the natural processess involved. In this paper, the experiences in a major Mexican watershed are presented. Data analysis, experimental work, and modeling are applied to create a reasonable approach to describing water pollution and predicting the behavior of contaminants in the Lerma-Chapala basin, Mexico. The main difficulty in the formulation of different models was identifying the required independent parameters. Interaction parameters between water and sediment phases played a predominant role in the pollutant transport processes. Therefore, the modeling approach included not only water but other phases involved in the migration of pollutants (water, soil, suspended sediments, bottom sediments, atmosphere).     

博斯腾湖流域风险源管理信息系统研究

为弥补博斯腾湖流域传统风险源管理系统中缺乏空间实体定义能力、空间关系查询能力、情景预测分析能力等问题,综合采用Arcgis Engine2010与Visual Studio2008集成技术及SQL Server 2008数据库开发平台开发了博斯腾湖流域风险源管理信息系统,实现风险源数据的输入、定位、储存、管理和污染风险预警等功能.可以从宏观上清晰地掌握全流域风险源的基本情况,为风险源管理提供技术支持和决策信息.     

不同管理措施对密云水库流域水量水质变化的影响

在密云水库上游控制流域建立SWAT(Soil and Water Assessment Tool)水文模型,根据实测水量-水质数据对模型的参数进行优化。识别流域土壤侵蚀和污染物关键区域,并对不同管理措施对流域水量-水质的影响进行定量研究。研究结果表明:密云水库流域土壤侵蚀强度较大的集中在流域中下游临近河道的区域;潮河流域非点源污染状况较为严重,潮河和白河总氮流失超高风险区分别占总面积的62.62%和43.09%,白河流域总磷均为低流失风险区,潮河流域总磷高流失风险区占17.81%;等高耕作和梯田种植对于产沙量和污染物都有较好的去除效果,其中等高耕作对于产沙量和总氮、总磷负荷的削减率,潮河分别为25.16%、10.79%和32.89%,白河为47.60%、34.92%和53.49%;通过对比退耕还林和退耕还草措施得知,退耕还林的效果更优。研究结果可为密云水库流域水土保持和水环境治理提供决策依据。     

Flood Vulnerability to Climate Change through Hydrological Modeling

Abstract

Determination of flood vulnerability to climate change is one of the most critical issues for regional water management. Most of the previous studies related to system vulnerabilities to climate change were either a qualitative assessment without the support of hydrological modeling or too complex to apply them to real-world systems. In this study, a modeling and assessment system is proposed to tackle flood vulnerability to the climate change through the incorporation of future climate change scenarios, rainfall-runoff simulation, and vulnerability estimation within an integrated frame. The developed approach is applied to provide decision support for flood management of the Swift Current Creek watershed in Western Canada. The approach not only is useful to determine relative flood vulnerabilities to climate change for supporting flood control planning in the watershed, but also can be extended to estimate vulnerabilities of water quality and water supply to climate change.