Spatial decision support system for integrated river basin flood control

A prototype spatial decision support system (SDSS) is presented for integrated, real-time river basin flood control in a multipurpose, multireservoir system. The SDSS integrates a geographic information system with a database management subsystem, a real-time meteorological and hydrological data monitoring system, a model-base subsystem for system simulation and optimization, and a graphical dialog interface allowing effective use by system operators, The model-base subsystem employs an artificial neural network in a real-time flood forecasting module providing spatially distributed forecasted flows that are updated as the flood event progresses. Forecasted, basinwide discharges are input into a dynamic programming module providing optimal gate-control strategies, which are also updated in real-time. The SDSS for flood control is applied to the Han River Basin in Korea and demonstrated through simulated application to a severe 1995 flood event. Results of the case study indicate that integrated operational strategies generated by the SDSS for flood control substantially reduce downstream flood impacts, while maintaining sufficient conservation storage for water use subsequent to the flood season.