Modelling Water Allocation Increases Using Climate Predictions
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University of Southern Queensland Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences Modelling Water Allocation Increases Using Climate Predictions A dissertation submitted by Mr. Daniel Graham Verrall In fulfilment of the requirements of Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) October 2016 ABSTRACT Water allocations in Australia often commence at the start of the year with less than 100% supply and rely on seasonal streamflows into dams throughout the year to meet demand. Therefore more than ever, water allocation models are used with forward planning in order to effectively manage water supply. This dissertation focuses on developing a water allocation model incorporating climate forecasts for Cressbrook Dam, a major water supplier for the regional town of Toowoomba. After determining the best climate index of ENSO, the methodology focussed on identifying a relationship between streamflow and SOI on a monthly and seasonal scale and the creation of the water balance model. To apply the findings of these results, the use of three water management scenarios were then run through the water balance model using an extended streamflow sequence. This analysis indicated that there was a significant correlation in the months of December to March which was further strengthened when looking at a seasonal scale. A consistently positive SOI observed in November suggested that there was a 100% chance that the dam level will substantially increase and this to develop alternative water management scenarios that raised restrictions when this SOI phase was observed. By raising restrictions early, these management scenarios achieved a reduction of around 280 days from level 5 water restrictions which would have relieved the residents of Toowoomba during a major drought period. However, the raising of restrictions also resulted in lowering the dam level to a critical low volume. This unexpected response in dam level storage was identified due to a short streamflow record available. The development of the water management scenarios were based off a limited range of historical climate variability, therefore recognising that a large streamflow record is crucial to developing water management strategies which incorporate decisions based off climate events on the past. ii LIMITATIONS OF USE The Council of the University of Southern Queensland, its Faculty of Health, Engineering & Sciences, and the staff of the University of Southern Queensland, do not accept any responsibility for the truth, accuracy or completeness of material contained within or associated with this dissertation. Persons using all or any part of this material do so at their own risk, and not at the risk of the Council of the University of Southern Queensland, its Faculty of Health, Engineering & Sciences or the staff of the University of Southern Queensland. This dissertation reports an educational exercise and has no purpose or validity beyond this exercise. The sole purpose of the course pair entitled “Research Project” is to contribute to the overall education within the student’s chosen degree program. This document, the associated hardware, software, drawings, and other material set out in the associated appendices should not be used for any other purpose: if they are so used, it is entirely at the risk of the user. iii CERTIFICATION I certify that the ideas, designs and experimental work, results, analyses and conclusions set out in this dissertation are entirely my own effort, except where otherwise indicated and acknowledged. I further certify that the work is original and has not been previously submitted for assessment in any other course or institution, except where specifically stated. Daniel Verrall Student Number: 0061046399 iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to acknowledge the following people: This project would not have been possible without the continual support from my family and friends who have been with me from my first day at the University of Southern Queensland. Many thanks go out to my supervisor Justine Baillie, for her continuous time, help and effort. Weekly meetings and even meetings on weekends are just a small demonstration of her devotion to this project and is very much appreciated. v Table of Contents ABSTRACT ................................................................................................... ii LIMITATIONS OF USE .............................................................................. iii CERTIFICATION......................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................... v Table of Contents .......................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................ x List of Tables................................................................................................ xii Nomenclature and Acronyms ...................................................................... xiii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................ 1 1.1 Background...................................................................................... 1 1.2 Aim and Objectives ......................................................................... 2 1.3 Justification of Project ..................................................................... 3 1.4 Dissertation Outline ......................................................................... 3 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................... 5 2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................... 5 2.2 Statistical Predictions for Water Allocation Increases .................... 5 2.3 Climate Indices ................................................................................ 6 2.3.1 Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO)............................................ 7 2.3.2 Tropical Cyclones .................................................................. 10 2.3.3 Atmospheric Blocking ........................................................... 12 2.3.4 East Coast Lows ..................................................................... 14 2.3.5 Indian Ocean Dipole .............................................................. 15 2.3.6 Inter-Decadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) ................................. 16 2.3.7 Southern Annular Mode (SAM)............................................. 17 2.3.8 El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) ................................... 19 vi 2.3.9 Summary of Key Findings ..................................................... 24 2.4 Urban Water Storage Management – Risk .................................... 25 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY ............................................................. 27 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................... 27 3.2 Hydrologic Analysis of Water Supply Systems ............................ 27 3.3 Water Balance Model .................................................................... 31 3.3.1 Behaviour Analysis ................................................................ 32 3.3.2 Storage volume at the end of the previous day (푺풕 − ퟏ) ....... 33 3.3.3 Volume of stream inflow on day t (푸풕) ................................. 34 3.3.4 Volume of direct rainfall onto the dam on day t (푷풕) ............ 34 3.3.5 Volume of water evaporated from the dam on day t (푬풕) ...... 35 3.3.6 Volume of water infiltrated through seepage on day t (푰풕) .... 36 3.3.7 Volume of water drafted from the dam on day t (푫풕)............ 37 3.3.8 Volume of water spilt on day t (푳풕) ....................................... 37 3.3.9 Volume of Water Released from the Dam on Day t (푹풕) ...... 38 3.3.10 Surface Storage Area.............................................................. 39 3.4 Streamflow and ENSO Relationships ........................................... 39 3.4.1 Monthly Streamflow and ENSO Relationships ..................... 40 3.4.2 Seasonal Streamflow and ENSO Relationships ..................... 41 3.4.3 Seasonal Cumulative Probability Distributions ..................... 41 3.5 Combined Water Balance Model with ENSO Relationships ........ 42 3.6 Scenarios........................................................................................ 43 3.6.1 Scenario 1 ............................................................................... 43 3.6.2 Scenario 2 ............................................................................... 45 3.6.3 Scenario 3 ............................................................................... 46 3.6.4 Development of Streamflows for Scenarios .......................... 47 CHAPTER 4 RESULTS FOR STATISTICAL STREAMFLOW FORECAST MODEL .................................................................................. 49 vii 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................... 49 4.2 Monthly Streamflow and ENSO Analysis .................................... 49 4.3 Seasonal Streamflow and ENSO Analysis .................................... 51 4.4 Seasonal Cumulative Probability Distribution Analysis ............... 52 4.5 Cumulative Probability Distribution Analysis of End of Season Storage Levels .......................................................................................... 55 4.5.1 90% Starting Storage Capacity .............................................