Lake-river System Research Articles

A dynamic interval goal programming approach to the regulation of a lake–river system

AbstractThis paper describes a model and a decision support tool for the regulation of a lake–river system using both goal sets and goal points for the water level over the year. The inflow forecast is updated periodically, which results in a series of dynamic rolling horizon goal programming problems. This involves heavy computation, and yet it can be successfully done with the spreadsheet program. The related decision support tool with a graphical user interface is called Interactive analysis of dynamic water regulation Strategies by Multi‐criteria Optimization (ISMO). The Finnish Environment Institute (FEI) actively uses it in the generation of regulation policy alternatives when considered from the different perspectives of the stakeholders. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evaluating a Framework for Multi-Stakeholder Decision Support in Water Resources Management

In this paper we describe a framework for multicriteria modeling and support of multi-stakeholder decision processes. We report on its testing in the development of a new water level management policy for a regulated lake-river system in Finland. In the framework the stakeholders are involved in the decision process from the problem structuring stage to the group consensus seeking stage followed by a stage of seeking public acceptance for the policy. The framework aims at creating an evolutionary learning process. In this paper we also focus on the use of a new interactive method for finding and identifying Pareto-optimal alternatives. Role playing experiments with students are used to test the practical applicability of a negotiation support procedure called the method of improving directions. We also describe the preference programming approach for the aggregation of the stakeholder opinions in the final evaluation of alternatives and consensus seeking.

Land-Ocean Systems in the Siberian Arctic, Dynamics and History

Land-Ocean Systems in the Siberian Arctic, Dynamics and History

Seasonal movements of lake sturgeon in Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, Ontario

Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) inhabiting the southern portion of Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, a north-temperate watershed straddling the Canada – United States border, were studied to test hypotheses concerning seasonal movement patterns, including spawning migrations, and habitat use. We implanted radio transmitters into 26 fish and monitored seasonal movements during 3 consecutive years. Data indicated the existence of two discrete populations of sturgeon in this watershed, differentiated by seasonal habitat use, movement patterns and rates, and timing of spawning. The "lake" population, a designation suggested by a consistent preference for lentic winter habitat, appeared to spawn and initiate extensive spring and summer movements later than the "river" population, which consistently inhabited the river during the winter months. Overall, movement rates were significantly greater in the spring and summer months than at other times of the year and decreased with water temperature. General preferences exhibited by lake sturgeon for certain habitat types at different times of the year appeared to be linked to foraging behaviour. The results suggest that population differentiation may be prevalent for this species inhabiting large lake–river systems, given some diversity in habitat structure and spawning cues. In management efforts, this potential should be taken into consideration and reflected.