Developing Resilient Reservoir System Operations: A Simulation Approach Incorporating Rule Curve

Abstract To manage the growing challenges of water scarcity and variability, especially during prolonged droughts, effective reservoir operation is essential. This study builds on previous research to address the complexities of water allocation under extreme drought conditions. The objectives are to (a) develop a new water supply adjustment standard (Standard) for Hwacheon reservoir for practical application, (b) create a simulation model that integrates this Standard, and (c) establish a reservoir system operation for managing three major reservoirs in the Han River Basin, South Korea. The results demonstrate that the newly developed simulation model effectively minimized water supply reductions for domestic and industrial sectors. The simulation model decreased the water supply reduction by 467.5 MCM for the Hwacheon reservoir and by 1476.0 MCM for the Chungju-Soyanggang reservoirs in the domestic and industrial sectors compared to the historical supply. The number of days spent in the critical emergency stage was reduced across all reservoirs. The emergency stage duration for Hwacheon reservoir dropped from 477 days to 104 days, while the Chungju-Soyanggang reservoirs eliminated emergency stage days, reducing from 86 days to none. Compared to the previously developed optimization model, reservoir storage in June (before the flood season) decreased by 26.6% to allow for greater flood control capacity, while in September (after the flood season), it increased by 5.4% to enhance conservation storage. These findings underscore the potential for enhancing water resource management in diverse regions. The flexible framework developed in this study can be applied globally to similar reservoir systems, enhancing resilience and water management efficiency.