Water Resources Planning and Management

The UWRL water resources planning and management group conducts research to address the informational needs of river basin and watershed planners and managers. This work also enables water users to have a more active role in management decisions.

Key research focus areas include:

  • Developing enhanced data collection and analysis tools on a large geographical scale to improve long-term forecasts of water supplies
  • Developing user-driven decision support systems
  • Developing distributed water demand and supply models
  • Developing real-time system operations models, including flows and quantities of water throughout a river basin, and water quality conditions
  • Developing reservoir and water system operation policies

This research will help increase the efficiency of water management in terms of the economic gains to be derived from water use and the environmental benefits possible through conservation.

Diversion structure for the Richfield Canal in the Sevier River, Utah

Diversion structure for the Richfield Canal in the Sevier River, Utah

Benefits to the State of Utah

The increasing demand for water in Utah will require greater efficiency in water use and comprehensive approaches to water management. The research being performed by the UWRL water resources planning and management group supports this goal by providing improved information to both water managers and interested stakeholders. This research includes:

  • Developing real-time irrigation system management models for reservoir and canal operations in the Sevier River Basin
  • Developing water management and water quality models for irrigation systems in the Ashley Valley
  • Acquiring and maintaining a database for water resources management of the Virgin River Basin
  • Installing and maintaining real-time flow and water quality monitoring stations and real-time data retrieval in the Lower Bear River.