Teri Etchells

System dynamics and auto-calibration framework for NSM model: Murrumbidgee River

Water sharing management is the major problem for water resources and irrigation management decision makers. However, irrigation systems are very complex and interconnected, posing significant difficulties in managing irrigation economically and environmentally. Therefore, it is imperative that innovative modelling approaches are employed to deal with the feedback loops inherent in these systems. Through the application of a system dynamics approach, a Network Simulation Model (NSM) was developed. The purpose of the NSM is to measure and identify the change in economic and environmental outputs of various allocations and demand scenarios. The aim of this study is to examine the use of two methods of auto calibration (single objective and multiobjective) over a variety of climatic and hydrological conditions. These methods have been compared and applied to three periods of calibration and validation using seven performance criteria. Results indicate that multiobjective method yields better identifiable parameters and an improved model structure

Developing a Methodology to Calculate Water Trading Exchange Rates

Abstract The rationale for developing water markets is straightforward: to allocate water to the use where it will be valued most highly. However, designing and implementing a market for water entitlements that is efficient, equitable and sustainable, is very difficult. A simple system allowing people to buy and sell entitlements with no outside intervention does not take account of issues such as losses incurred in supplying the entitlement at the new location, changes in security level or third party impacts such as return flows and environmental degradation. The cumulative effect of unconstrained trade could reduce the value of existing entitlements, decrease system reliability and jeopardise ecosystems. Many of these issues can be addressed through the design of an exchange rate system. This paper focuses on the underlying causes of potential market failure and developing a rationale for where exchange rates can be used effectively. This framework will ultimately be used to identify a preferred methodology for calculating exchange rates for the Murray-Darling Basin.