Development: Decision-Support Systems

Prototype geospatial information system for the Yakima River, Wash. Top: Example of a spawning/incubation habitat persistence map for Coho salmon. Bottom: Results of a habitat time-series analysis for the same site and species. Images: Ken Bovee, USGS.

Effective river management depends not only on scientific understanding of the many interacting components of river systems, but also on how well that information is accessed, communicated, and used in decision processes. FORT develops tools that managers can use to understand the many variables involved, the possible outcomes of different management actions, and likely ecosystem responses. The following are examples of our decision-support systems that summarize the often voluminous data and model output supporting many water management decisions.

Auble, G.T., M. Wondzell, and C. Talbert. 2009. Decision support system for evaluation of Gunnison River flow regimes with respect to resources of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009–1126, 25 p. See also Black Canyon of the Gunnison Decision Support System (BCG_DSS).

Bartholow, J., J. Heasley, B. Hanna, J. Sandelin, M. Flug, S. Campbell, J. Henriksen, and A. Douglas. 2005. Evaluating water management strategies with the Systems Impact Assessment Model: SIAM Version 4 (Revised October 2005). U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center Open-File Report 03-82 [Revised]. 122 p. See also System Impact Assessment Model (SIAM)

Bartholow, J., J. Heasley, J. Laake, J. Sandelin, B.A.K. Coughlan, and A. Moos. 2002. SALMOD: a population model for salmonids: User's manual. Version W3. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Geological Survey. 76 p.

Bovee, K.D., T.J. Waddle, J. Bartholow, and L. Burris. 2007. A decision support framework for water management in the upper Delaware River: U.S. Geological Survey USGS Open-File Report 2007-1172. 122 p.

Bovee, K.D., T.J. Waddle, C. Talbert, J.R. Hatten, and T.R. Batt. 2008. Development and application of a decision support system for water management investigations in the Upper Yakima River, Washington. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1251. 289 p.

Hanson, L., S.C. Williamson, T.J. Waddle, C. Talbert, and J.E. Heasley. 2008. Smart River GIS for improved decision making.USGS Web resource.

Shafroth, P.B., and V.B. Beauchamp, (eds.). 2006. Defining ecosystem flow requirements for the Bill Williams River, Arizona. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006-1314. 135 p.

Williamson, S. 2009. Salmonid Population Model (SALMOD). USGS Web resource.

Staff

Auble, Gregor (riparian vegetation, streamflow)

Bovee, Ken (RETIRED; water management)

Campbell, Sharon (modeling/DSS, limnology)

Douglas, Aaron (economics, modeling)

Hanson, Leanne (aquatic ecology, modeling/DSS)

Shafroth, Pat (riparian vegetation, dam removal, streamflow)

Waddle, Terry (hydrology, rivers, water management)

Williamson, Sam (modeling/DSS)

Current Studies

• Integrating Variable Location, Geospatial Scale, and Economic Impacts into Decision Support Systems for Managing Natural Resources
• Long-term Ecosystem Biogeochemistry
• Managed Streamflow and the Ecology of the Bill Williams River
• River Basin Management
• SALMOD: Salmonid Young-of-Year Production Model for the Klamath, Trinity, and Sacramento Rivers
• Water Management Studies