A method to include reservoir operations in catchment hydrological models using SHETRAN

Reservoir construction and operation have significant impacts on catchment hydrology, flood risk and fluvial processes. However, few available hydrological modelling packages can simulate complex, dynamic, manually operated reservoir control structures. We present SHETRAN-Reservoir, a physically-based spatially distributed modelling tool to simulate catchment hydrology, including reservoir operations. We also propose a method for deriving parsimonious reservoir operation rules from real-world observations. Application of SHETRANReservoir to the Upper Cocker catchment in the Lake District National Park, UK, is shown to improve modelling of hydrological response. Modelling combined climate change and water resource management scenarios demonstrates the influence of operational control rules on hydrological impacts, especially during droughts. We discuss how SHETRAN-Reservoir can be applied to other reservoir-containing catchments to guide decisions concerning water resources, ecology and flood risk. We also discuss potential future software developments.

Automated summary

This study introduces a physically-based hydrological modeling tool SHETRAN-Reservoir, capable of simulating complex and dynamic reservoir operations, and proposes a method for deriving reservoir operation rules from real-world observations. Application of the tool in the Lake District National Park in the UK has shown improved modeling of hydrological response.