Finding the best locations and heights of a number of small dams along mountainous stream beds

What is it about?

The paper aims at the optimal design of a system of small solid barrier-type stone dams, namely at determining the number, location and height of dams and a borrow-pit's (BP) location to achieve the following objectives: (a) maximum flood protection, (b) maximum underlying aquifers' artificial recharge, (c) minimum dams' construction cost and (d) minimum stonework transportation cost. The simplified conceptual model involves no hydraulic simulation; flow characteristics are not considered, while no dam is assumed to affect another dam's benefit/cost values. Hence, all partial benefit/cost values can be separately pre-calculated, for each one of the available dam locations for all available heights and BP locations, deriving from data concerning topography, geology/soil, land uses, construction and transportation costs. Any solution proposing a system of dams of various heights and a BP exhibits a total management value equal to the sum of the respective partial benefit/cost values of each dam. The multi-objective optimization problem is formulated into a single-objective minimization problem; the difference of costs minus benefits is to be minimized. Simple, elitist genetic algorithms (GAs) are used, coupled with sophisticated post-processing of results, able to produce optimized design solutions and strategies.

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Why is it important?

Systems of mall dams are low-cost works, with small environmental impact. If properly designed, they can significantly improve water management in rather remote areas.