Examining reservoir management practices: The optimal provision of water resources under alternate management scenarios (Oklahoma)

Purpose and method of study. This study examines current practices in reservoir management to evaluate the possibility of improving the total benefits accruing to reservoir services. The site of study is the Broken Bow Lake in southeastern Oklahoma, including the Mountain Fork River flowing south from the dam. The method of analysis used calls for the development and employment of a mathematical model to identify the optimal allocation of water in the reservoir system among alternative uses. This allocation is determined by the trade-offs in benefits associated with these alternative uses of the water. The reservoir activities included in this study are hydropower production, municipal and industrial water supply, flood control services and lake recreation. In addition, benefits accruing to sport fishing in a State-sponsored trout fishery along the stream are also included in the analysis.; Findings and conclusion. The results of this analysis indicate several avenues for improving the benefits generated through reservoir services. The first source of potential gains in benefits is the application of the optimization procedure itself. Through various exercises, the results consistently showed significant increases in total benefits accruing to the reservoir. Although each individual reservoir service did not consistently experience gains, the strategy suggested by the optimization procedure produces gains in aggregate benefits over the current management strategies in every instance. In addition, the analysis identified two major sources of potential gains from altering management practices. The first source of gains involves an increase in water supply sales. This possibility arises due to current negotiations involving the sale of water from Broken Bow Lake to Texas. The other source requires an increase in the allowable pool levels at the reservoir. While both alternatives produce gains, the latter is likely the most acceptable option, when environmental, political and social concerns are considered.