Optimal allocation of water resources in large river basins: II. Application to Yellow River Basin

Abstract

In this paper, the theoretical approach presented in Part I is demonstrated by means of case study on the optimal allocation water resources for Yellow River Basin of China. The object of the case study was to find the optimization of water allocation among subregions and trunk streams of the basin in order to achieve the maximum national economic benefits and the optimal reservoir storage required to maintain the long-term balance of water resources.

The optimal allocation of water resources pattern caters for irrigation, hydropower generation, navigation, water supply and other sectors, depending to a large extent on the objective economic benefits obtained from the whole valley and on the objective of reservoir storage. Other factors incapable of being expressed in terms of the two objectives considered in the section concerning constrained conditions. This research is applicable widely and suitable for the solution of complicated, multi-objective large-system problems involving non-linearity, numerous variables and various constrained conditions. Finally, the results of optimal allocation of water resources for Yellow River Basin (OAWRYRB) have been selected on an optimum basis in accordance with the multi-objective method.

The application of our optimization techniques to the Yellow River basic showed that the total water of the Yellow River over a year can be allocated by optimization. The maximum national economic benefits and the optimal reservoir storage required to maintain the long-term balance of water resources can also be obtained by the optimal techniques.