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Modelling Water Management using SWAT+ : Application of Reservoirs Release Tables and the New Water Allocation Module in a Highly Managed River Basin

Author

Listed:
  • Alejandro Sánchez-Gómez

    (University of Alcalá)

  • Jeffrey G. Arnold

    (Grassland Soil & Water Research Laboratory)

  • Katrin Bieger

    (Aarhus University)

  • Natalja Čerkasova

    (Texas A&M AgriLife Blackland Research and Extension Center)

  • Nancy B. Sammons

    (Grassland Soil & Water Research Laboratory
    Texas A&M AgriLife Blackland Research and Extension Center)

  • Silvia Martínez-Pérez

    (University of Alcalá)

  • Eugenio Molina-Navarro

    (University of Alcalá)

Abstract

Incorporating the simulation of water management actions in hydrological models is paramount to enhance their reliability and usefulness. SWAT + (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) includes novelties in this aspect compared to its previous versions: the decision tables and the water allocation module provide enhanced capabilities for configuring management actions. Despite their potential, these features have not yet been applied due to their novelty. This study pioneers the use of SWAT + ’s new features applied in the Upper Tagus River Basin, a densely populated and highly regulated catchment. Irrigation, reservoir management, and various kinds of water transfers were incorporated in a SWAT + model of this basin. The implementation of management actions and their impact on the model performance were evaluated. The model accurately reproduced water demand for irrigation and water transfers, capturing both the demand volume and timing. The water sources were configured to meet most of the demand, with 73% of irrigation and 90% of water transfer requirements being satisfied. Release decision tables were configured for 31 reservoirs, resulting in an accurate simulation of outflow and storage in many of them. Incorporating management actions improved the streamflow simulation at the basin outlet, both considering the hydrograph and performance metrics (e.g., PBIAS was reduced by more than 50%). Some potential improvements in the model configuration and in the code were identified and will be addressed in future studies. This work provides a comprehensive guide to SWAT + ’s new features and the methodology employed, making it valuable for anyone working with the model.

Suggested Citation

  • Alejandro Sánchez-Gómez & Jeffrey G. Arnold & Katrin Bieger & Natalja Čerkasova & Nancy B. Sammons & Silvia Martínez-Pérez & Eugenio Molina-Navarro, 2025. "Modelling Water Management using SWAT+ : Application of Reservoirs Release Tables and the New Water Allocation Module in a Highly Managed River Basin," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 39(5), pages 2357-2399, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:39:y:2025:i:5:d:10.1007_s11269-024-04071-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11269-024-04071-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elpida Kolokytha & Dimitrios Malamataris, 2020. "Integrated Water Management Approach for Adaptation to Climate Change in Highly Water Stressed Basins," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 34(3), pages 1173-1197, February.
    2. Hagen Koch & Uwe Grünewald, 2009. "A Comparison of Modelling Systems for the Development and Revision of Water Resources Management Plans," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 23(7), pages 1403-1422, May.
    3. Zhang, Zepeng & Wang, Qingzheng & Guan, Qingyu & Xiao, Xiong & Mi, Jimin & Lv, Songjian, 2023. "Research on the optimal allocation of agricultural water and soil resources in the Heihe River Basin based on SWAT and intelligent optimization," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    4. Ahmadzadeh, Hojat & Mansouri, Bahareh & Fathian, Farshad & Vaheddoost, Babak, 2022. "Assessment of water demand reliability using SWAT and RIBASIM models with respect to climate change and operational water projects," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    5. Nan Zhang & Hong He & Shao Zhang & Xiao Jiang & Zi Xia & Feng Huang, 2012. "Influence of Reservoir Operation in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River (China) on the Inflow and Outflow Regime of the TGR-based on the Improved SWAT Model," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(3), pages 691-705, February.
    6. Celray James Chawanda & Jeffrey Arnold & Wim Thiery & Ann Griensven, 2020. "Mass balance calibration and reservoir representations for large-scale hydrological impact studies using SWAT+," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 163(3), pages 1307-1327, December.
    7. Jatin Anand & Ashvani Kumar Gosain & Rakesh Khosa, 2018. "Optimisation of Multipurpose Reservoir Operation by Coupling Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Genetic Algorithm for Optimal Operating Policy (Case Study: Ganga River Basin)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-20, May.
    8. Enrique San-Martín & Beatriz Larraz & María Soledad Gallego, 2020. "When the river does not naturally flow: a case study of unsustainable management in the Tagus River (Spain)," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(3), pages 189-221, April.
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