1. Non-linear Programming Application: Model to Improve Wetlands Management CEE6410-Water Resources Systems Analysis October 13 th, 2015 1 Omar Alminagorta

2. Outline Part I: Background Information  The Refuge problems  Main features of the model Part II: Application of the Model  Use of the GUI  Scenario analysis

3. Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah (The Refuge) Important stopping and resting area for migratory birds on the Pacific and Central Flyway. Covers 156 Km 2 and includes 25 wetland units 3

4. Water Allocation Problems at the Refuge 4

5. Invasive Species at the Refuge 5

6. Habitat suitability index 6 Habitat suitability index (HS): Capacity of a given attribute to support selected species

7. Weighted usable area for wetlands (WU) WU represents the wetted surface area that provides suitable water depth and vegetation cover conditions for priority bird species

8. Decide Water depth and Invasive vegetation control Maximize Surface Area with suitable conditions to support key bird species Optimization Model Subject to: i.Water Availability ii.Channel conveyance iii.Vegetation Control iv.Limited Financial Budget v.Gate management constraint.. 8

9. Key model inputs and outputs 9 InputsOutputs Hydrological Water availability (Volume.time -1 ­) Network connectivity Evaporation loss (length) And others… Ecological Initial vegetation cover (Percentage) Species habitat requirements (unitless) Species weights (unitless) Management Unit cost of removing invasive vegetation (Currency.Area -1 ) Total financial budget to manage vegetation (Currency.time -1 ) Gate Management (unitless) Wetland Performance Available surface area that provides suitable hydrological and ecological conditions for priority bird species (Area­) Recommend Water allocations to wetland units (Volume) Water depths in wetland units (Height) Reduction of invasive vegetation (Percentage) Simulate Water allocations based on wetland management requirements (Volume) Shadow Values and Sensitivity Analyses

10. Part II. Model Application