MODSIM: River Basin Management Decision

Abstract

The MODSIM generalized river basin management decision support system (DSS) is designed as a computer-aided tool for developing improved basin-wide and regional strategies for short-term water management, long-term operational planning, drought contingency planning, water rights analysis, and resolving conflicts between urban, agricultural, and environmental concerns. Sprague and Carlson (1982) defined a DSS as “an interactive computer-based support system that helps decision makers utilize data and models to solve unstructured problems.” A DSS integrates the following interactive subsystems: (1) model base management subsystem; (2) data base management subsystem; and (3) dialog generation and management subsystem. As illustrated in Figure 23.1, MODSIM embodies all essential components of a decision support system. The graphical user interface (GUI) connects MODSIM with the various data base management components and an efficient network flow optimization model. The objective function and constraints of the network flow optimization model are automatically constructed through the GUI without requiring any background in optimization or computer programming by the user. Optimization of the objective function essentially provides an efficient means of achieving system targets and guide curves according to desired priorities, while assuring that water is allocated according to physical, hydrological, and institutional/ administrative aspects of river basin management.