Theses and Dissertations Collection

Efficient water release in multipurpose reservoirs is of the utmost concern for water resource management agencies. A unique approach is presented in this study based on a dynamic optimization system to derive the optimal amount of water release during a water year that takes into consideration both irrigation demand and flood safety. The dynamic optimization model seeks to maximize benefits from water release including agricultural irrigation benefit minus flood damage. A partial differential equation resulting from the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation is solved and optimum water release is derived. The empirical model is then developed using the Lucky Peak Dam in Idaho as a case study. A nonlinear GAMS model is developed to demonstrate preliminary results for optimum water release and reservoir water levels during a water year. The empirical results are compared qualitatively to engineering operating rule curves used in reservoir operation. Implications of potential earlier run-off due to climatic change are also examined.