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Sectoral and Regional Allocation of Initial Water Rights of Reservoirs: A Two-Dimensional Method Based on Matter-Element Extension Theory

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  • Yuzhi Shi

    (Water Resources Research Institute of Shandong Province, Jinan 250013, China
    Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Network Dispatching and Efficient Utilization, Jinan 250013, China)

  • Jiwen Huang

    (Water Resources Research Institute of Shandong Province, Jinan 250013, China
    Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Network Dispatching and Efficient Utilization, Jinan 250013, China)

  • Mingyang Li

    (Water Resources Research Institute of Shandong Province, Jinan 250013, China
    Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Network Dispatching and Efficient Utilization, Jinan 250013, China)

  • Rui Wang

    (Water Resources Research Institute of Shandong Province, Jinan 250013, China
    Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Network Dispatching and Efficient Utilization, Jinan 250013, China)

  • Lili Liu

    (Water Resources Research Institute of Shandong Province, Jinan 250013, China
    Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Network Dispatching and Efficient Utilization, Jinan 250013, China)

  • Zhenxiang Xu

    (College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China)

  • Yanfang Diao

    (College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China)

Abstract

As an important surface water source, the rational water rights allocation of reservoirs plays a crucial role in alleviating the contradiction between water supply and demand in surrounding areas. However, the theoretical framework for water rights allocation mostly focuses on the watershed scale, which is different from water rights allocation of reservoirs. Research on the water rights allocation of reservoirs is relatively scarce and still at a preliminary stage. Therefore, this study developed a two-dimensional method for sectoral and regional allocation of initial water rights of a reservoir, which was applied to Nishan Reservoir in northern China. The reservoir’s utilizable storage capacity, total initial water rights, and water rights of various sectors were determined using the water balance principle and chronological method. Subsequently, based on the constructed system of indices and assessment criteria for the regional allocation of initial water rights, an allocation model for the reservoirs’ initial water rights was established using the matter-element extension theory to subdivide the sectoral water rights allocations into regional initial water rights allocations. The results show that the total initial water rights of Nishan Reservoir are 20.64 million m 3 , with the water rights allocations for agricultural irrigation, industry/domestic use, and ecological needs at 4.24, 10.4, and 6.00 million m 3 , respectively. The 6.00 million m 3 allocation for ecological water use is solely managed by the prefecture-level administration of Jining City. The remaining allocations of the reservoir’s initial water rights are 9.67 million m 3 for Qufu City, 1.63 million m 3 for Sishui County, and 3.34 million m 3 for Zoucheng City. This allocation scheme has been accepted by all stakeholders of the Nishan Reservoir’s water rights. The method proposed in this study can provide support for the construction of a reservoir water rights allocation system. However, it has a limitation in that it fails to consider the robustness of the allocation scheme and the dynamic adjustment mechanism under future variable conditions, such as extreme hydrological scenarios and changes in water demand. This serves as a direction for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuzhi Shi & Jiwen Huang & Mingyang Li & Rui Wang & Lili Liu & Zhenxiang Xu & Yanfang Diao, 2025. "Sectoral and Regional Allocation of Initial Water Rights of Reservoirs: A Two-Dimensional Method Based on Matter-Element Extension Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8797-:d:1762160
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    References listed on IDEAS

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