|
Decision Support for
Fish/Water Management in the Okanagan Basin
Canadian Okanagan
Basin Technical Working Group
In 1999 the Canadian Okanagan Basin Technical
Working Group (OBTWG), consisting of representatives from the federal
and provincial governments, the Okanagan Nation Alliance, and the
Douglas County Public Utility District, was formed to explore various
options for mitigating the loss of sockeye salmon at Wells Dam on
the Okanagan River. Of the many options considered, the most readily
quantifiable, feasible and cost-effective option was to improve
upstream flow management practices, which were identified as having
the potential to increase average sockeye production in the river
by 15% (or 300,000 smolts) per year.
In association with Summit Environmental Consultants,
ESSA was engaged to develop a decision support system enabling water
managers to make real-time decisions regarding flow levels along
the Okanagan River. The resulting Okanagan Fish/Water Management
Tool allows the various OBTWG stakeholders to work collaboratively
on developing a consensus regarding flow management for the river.
Using daily downloads of flow and water level data for various stations
along the river, the system predicts the effects of alternative
future water level scenarios on a range of performance measures,
including fish production, flood control, irrigation, recreation
and navigation.
In a recent comprehensive 25 year retrospective analysis, significant fisheries gains were indicated from routine use of this tool without adversely impacting flooding and economic interests. Given OKFWM's ease of use and demonstrated potential, water and fisheries managers representing private industry, First Nations, Federal and Provincial interests have enthusiastically adopted the tool.
The system is web-based, and has been developed
using Microsoft's .NET framework; data for the system are stored
in a Microsoft SQL Server database. A prototype version of the system
is currently running on the ESSA web server, at www.essa.com/okfwm.
Paper:
 The Okanagan Fish-Water Management Tool: balancing water objectives in real time. Paper presented at the Third International Conference on Natural Channel Systems, Ottawa ON.
[PDF - 211 kb] Presentation:
Alexander, C.A.D. 2003. The Okanagan Fish-Water Management (OKFWM) Tool: balancing water objectives in real time. Powerpoint Presentation. In: Proceedings for Making Ecosystem Connections: Partnerships for a Restored Okanagan Basin Habitat. June 22 - 24, 2003. Penticton Lakeside Resort. Hosted by Canadian Okanagan Basin Technical Working Group.
[PPS - 678kb]
Additional Information at Related Sites:
Making Ecosystem Connections: Partnerships for a Restored Okanagan Basin Habitat
|
