Integrated System for Multi-Usage Reservoir Management in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL) is responsible for planning the water allocation across five major River systems in Sri Lanka. This includes providing water to the 15 major hydro plants and over 32 irrigation areas. MASL has been using computer models since the1980’s to meet the various water demands over the entire system and establish the right balance between the multiple stakeholders as part of the calculation of a seasonal plan (SOP). This includes an evaluation of the risk associated with water shortages for irrigation. As part of an on-going modernization effort, a fully integrated system for multi-use reservoir management (Vista DSSTM) has been developed and implemented to help produce the seasonal plan on an operational basis. It includes a multi objective long and shortterm optimization model, extensive data acquisition capability as well as inflow and irrigation water demand forecasting. The system has been designed to dynamically address changes in conveyance maximum capacities due to outages or other unplanned maintenance activities, along with changes in water supply due to expected near-term rain events. The new implementation has been in operation over the last 12 months and is expected to provide greater flexibility in conducting the various analyses, promote higher data integration, and further optimize the use of the country’s water resources.