Untitled DocumentDynamic simulation model of the Upper Rio Grande basin: An integrative decision support tool
Macro Theme Area:
Integrated Modeling [Project ID: M14]
PI:
Vince Tidwell
CO-PI(s):
Gary Woodard, Howard Passell, Janie Chermak, Dave Brookshire, Jesse Roach, Ari Posner
Basin focus:
Rio Grande
Specific area in
basin /
field sites:
Upper Rio Grande River, headwaters to Elephant Butte Reservoir.
Summary/Goals: The goal of this effort is to develop a water resource planning decision support system. The tool is being developed at a systems level and is designed to integrate over the multitude of social and physical processes impacting water resource allocation. This tool is also designed to be taken directly to the stakeholder so they can explore "what if" scenarios in real time. Development and applicatoin of this tool is currently being conducted on the Upper Rio Grande basin.
Activities and outcomes during past year:
An interactive model for the Middle Rio Grande was developed and used by a regional water planning board established by the NM Interstate Stream Commission. More recently, coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey, and the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission has been established to develop stakeholder outreach tools that compliment exisitng groundwater and river routing models for the basin.
Plans for the upcoming year:
Plans for this year include adding environmental and hydrochemical processes to the model. Economic, policy, and legal elements will be exercised. The model will also be used to evaluate alternative operations plans for conservation storage in Abiquiu Reservoir.
Organization Involvement:
National Research Laboratory
Shared Resources / Joint Activities:
Sandia is funding one PhD fellowships in conjunction with SAHRA that includes summer internships. SAHRA and Sandia are jointly sponsoring a DSM workshop, and cooperating in other attempts to broaden the use of DSM in water resource management.
