Multilake River System Operation Rules

Abstract

The development of seasonal operation rules for a multilake river system under multiuse requirements is conducted with a combination of dynamic programming and the multivariable pattern search technique. The model is formulated to handle linear and nonlinear objective functions. With the application of a river systems transition function, the optimization problem is reduced from a three-decision to a two-decision vector problem. The problem of dimensionality is resolved by employing functional equations expressed in analytical form; multiple regression analysis and random sampling techniques add to the computational efficiency and accuracy of the analysis. The application to the Oswego River System with five major lakes in system-basis operation is described. Two sets of lake-system operating rules are established from the analysis of the lake rule curves and the lake-use priority curves. The effects of system inflow variations and system operations measuring criteria upon the rules derived are also examined.