Optimum Design of a Multiple-Purpose Reservoirs

A method for the optimum design of a reservoir to provide regulated water for several purposes is described that separately allocates the water to the different purposes and then allows for the use of some of the water for more than one purpose. Dynamic programming is used to effect the optimum allocation in terms of a number of different values of regulated flow. Flood control storage is considered separately in terms of marginal cost and marginal benefit. The limitations of the approach arise from the limitations of the concept of regulated flow. Extensions to overcome the limitations are indicated.