Integrated water resources management and modeling: A case study of Bow river basin, Canada

Abstract

Abstract This paper introduces a comprehensive modeling framework for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The model incorporates water demands, allocation, and uses under various climate, population, and economic scenarios as well as management strategies. Model outputs include crop yields, municipal water use, power generation, recreational reservoir uses, and environmental flows. Further, a novel indicator integrates many key model outputs for social, economic, and environmental assessment based on the basin-scale water balance, and provides a comprehensive and clear representation of basin conditions to improve the understanding of IWRM trade-offs. When applied to the Bow River Basin, Canada, as a practical example, this Bow River Integrated Model (BRIM) revealed through a set of modeling scenarios that (1) only the industrial demands exceeded the water license in the high-water demand and reference scenarios due to population growth and economic development; (2) increased cooling tower shares for thermal power plants was the most effective policy in managing industrial demand; and (3) the new indicator reflected both basin-scale conditions and sectoral water stresses. Finally, model results from three gaming scenarios showed socio-economic and environmental trade-offs clearly, providing users with guidance in developing a comprehensive view of basin-scale water security, and hands-on experience to support IWRM. Therefore, the modeling framework and novel indicator can improve an understanding of IWRM concepts and strategic trade-offs in efforts towards basin water sustainability.