Application of Water Stress Indicator and Evaluation of Water Resource Development Indicator for Stream Flow Management in Dry Season

Abstract

The water stress indicator represents the water withdrawal rate with respect to the available water excluding the environmental flow and is designed to provide an overview of a country's water management. To use this indicator in various regions during the dry season when water problems may arise, items are modified and applied with a low flow, an environmental flow, and stream water use. This method conforms to Korea's water use permit and instream flow system thus, it can be used practically. In addition, since stream water during the dry season is more vulnerable to use than water from reservoirs, a water resource development indicator is introduced. Based on this water resource development indicator and the water stress indicator, the Yeongsangang River area is the most susceptible to water shortage during the dry season. These two indicators are effective because only a few data types are needed to identify areas that are vulnerable during the dry season.