Examining Trade-Offs in Piggybacking Flow Events while Making Environmental Release Decisions in a River System

Abstract

High flow pulses (or spells or freshes) play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological health of a river system. Impoundment of water in a reservoir and release or diversion of water for human water needs has significantly altered the magnitude and frequency of flow pulses in many river systems, often reducing river ecological health. A limited volume of water is sometimes available for release into the river to reintroduce pulses specifically aimed at meeting ecological requirements (environmental water). If aiming to achieve maximum environmental benefit, such releases from the reservoir should be timed to augment or piggyback natural unregulated catchment flow events. These decisions m..