A coupled streamflow and water temperature (VIC-RBM-CE-QUAL-W2) model for the Nechako Reservoir

Abstract

Study regionNechako Reservoir, British Columbia, Canada. Study focusHydrological regulation affect both hydrological and thermal conditions in the reservoir and downstream reach, subsequently disrupting fish habitats. This paper aims at developing an integrated model simulating physical processes that govern the quantity and quality of inflow, reservoir, and outflow water of the Nechako Reservoir. Such a model would help stakeholders understand the response of in-reservoir water temperature stratification and downstream water temperature to changes in inflow and reservoir operation under future climate change. New hydrological insights for the regionThe model was calibrated against historical reservoir levels and in-reservoir and outlet water temperature field data. The integrated model simulated accurately the wide variation of reservoir levels as well as the in-reservoir water temperature at Kenney Dam and the outlet temperature. Sensitivity analysis shows that reservoir water temperature particularly the epilimnion is sensitive to changes in both meteorological and hydrological forcing. Forcing the model with different outflow scenarios shows the weak sensitivity of temperature of water released to outflow rates. Given epilimnion water releases at the spillway, the Summer Temperature Management Program could be inefficient to provide cool water in the Nechako River during the critical period of salmon migration in a warming climate. However, colder water remains available at depth at Kenney Dam to potentially mitigate and better control downstream water temperature.