Computer models for integrated hydrosystems management

The work in this paper is directed towards two aspects: review of the concepts of integrated hydrosystems management and computer models used for integrated hydrosystems management. The efforts for the simplification of calculation of analytical functions have now reached the age of what is being referred to as “artificial intelligence”, whereby it has become possible to write computer programs that evaluate a hydrosystems problem, draw preliminary conclusions and recommend appropriate actions. An attempt has been made herein to categorize computer programming techniques and models useful for hydrosystems management into simulation models, optimization techniques and decision support systems (DSS). A taxonomy of some of the more widely used simulation models in the U.S. is given. Incorporating established water policies that take into account the balancing out process of water among competing users in simulation and optimization models help develop DSS that can be used as models used for integrated hydrosystems management.