Multi—Objective Reservoir Operation Optimization by Considering Ecosystem Sustainability and Ecological Targets

In this study, variations of macroinvertebrates are considered as a criterion for assessing biological diversity and ecosystem health in the downstream reach of a river-reservoir system. Unlike most of the previous studies, this biological diversity index is then used in a multi-objective reservoir operation optimization model as an objective function instead of a constraint. Two objectives of supplying water demand and ecological diversity were maximized for the case of the Aboulabbas Dam in Khuzestan Province in southwest of Iran. Based on the historical records of water quality and macroinvertebrate samples, a relationship between these two parameters was used in the optimization model formulation. Evaluation of the results in a 10-year period and comparison with single-objective optimization shows that using the proposed methodology, the biodiversity and ecosystem health has been improved while achieving an acceptable level of water supply reliability.