Analysis of the Coordinated Operation of Reservoirs and Weirs during the Management of Nakdong River Water Resources

Abstract

This study discerns optimal rules for coordinated operation of existing dams and eight newly constructed weirs in the Nakdong River through use of a system network while considering the water supply and operating facilities. To determine the operation rules, capacity was simulated by reservoir operations modeling and evaluated separately under the following three cases: (1) when dams were operated individually; (2) when they were operated in conjunction with other dams; and (3) when dams and weirs were operated in conjunction with each other. The water supply capacity of the Nakdong was highest in Case 3. When considering operational losses (9.1 and 14.8% in Cases 2 and 3, respectively), water supply decreased. Findings show that when water levels drop below the target, hydrological facilities should flexibly adjust water storage and flow rates at each dam in the system. Further studies are needed to investigate the influence of agricultural reservoirs and river channel discharged flows and to identify regions vulnerable to water shortages driven by future fluctuations in water resources due to climate change.