Implementing Reservoir Operations In Parflow, A Fully Integrated Physical Hydrology Model
Presenter: Benjamin D West1
Co-Author(s): Reed M. Maxwell
Advisor(s): Dr. Laura E. Condon
1Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona
High fidelity models of hydrologic systems are critical for our ability to make observations and predictions about watersheds. Recent advancements in earth systems modeling have drastically improved our ability to represent water in the natural system. . However, many of these models do not incorporate the effect of human built structures such as dams and reservoirs. By not accounting for these impacts, these models are limited both in their accuracy and in the scope of questions they are able to investigate. Therefore, we present a methodology to implement dams and reservoirs into the fully-integrated hydrologic model ParFlowl. This methodology involves designating certain special grid cells as reservoir cells and intervening to do timed releases, as well as a system of accounting to track water. We also show results from idealized test cases to demonstrate features of this new module such as the ability of rule curves to modulate flow signals. The addition of reservoirs as outlined in this study will improve the modeling performance of ParFlow, particularly in heavily managed/impacted systems. This will enable us to ask new questions regarding conjunctive management of ground and surface water.