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Optimizing Barrier Removal in Utah's Weber Basin


A newer version of this resource https://doi.org/10.4211/hs.889b9ccbb0c7407ea9a5a1b5d2bbb935 is available that replaces this version.
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Created: Aug 07, 2017 at 5:44 p.m.
Last updated: Apr 10, 2018 at 6:29 p.m.
DOI: 10.4211/hs.fa37f35610c34a278042d7fc93e8c47f
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Abstract

In-stream barriers, such as dams, culverts and diversions alter hydrologic processes and aquatic habitat. Removing uneconomical and aging in-stream barriers to improve stream habitat is increasingly used in river restoration. Previous barrier removal projects focused on score-and-rank techniques, ignoring cumulative change and spatial structure of barrier networks. Likewise, most water supply models prioritize either human water uses or aquatic habitat, failing to incorporate both human and environmental water use benefits. In this study, a dual objective optimization model prioritized removing in-stream barriers to maximize aquatic habitat connectivity for trout, using streamflow, temperature, channel gradient, and geomorphic condition as indicators of aquatic habitat suitability. Water scarcity costs are minimized using agricultural and urban economic penalty functions, and a budget constraint monetizes costs of removing small barriers like culverts and diversions. The optimization model is applied to a case study in Utah’s Weber River Basin to prioritize removing barriers most beneficial to aquatic habitat connectivity for Bonneville cutthroat trout, while maintaining human water uses. Solutions to the dual objective problem quantify and graphically show tradeoffs between connected quality-weighted habitat for Bonneville cutthroat trout and economic water uses. Removing 54 in-stream barriers reconnects about 160 km of quality-weighted habitat and costs approximately $10 M, after which point the cost effectiveness of removing barriers to connect river habitat decreases. The set of barriers prioritized for removal varied monthly depending on limiting habitat conditions for Bonneville cutthroat trout. This research helps prioritize barrier removals and future restoration project decisions within the Weber Basin. The modeling approach expands current barrier removal optimization methods by explicitly including both economic and environmental water uses and is generalizable to other basins.

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Related Resources

This resource has been replaced by a newer version Kraft, M., S. Null (2022). Optimizing Barrier Removal in Utah's Weber Basin, HydroShare, https://doi.org/10.4211/hs.889b9ccbb0c7407ea9a5a1b5d2bbb935

Credits

Funding Agencies

This resource was created using funding from the following sources:
Agency Name Award Title Award Number
National Science Foundation iUTAH-innovative Urban Transitions and Aridregion Hydro-sustainability 1208732

Contributors

People or Organizations that contributed technically, materially, financially, or provided general support for the creation of the resource's content but are not considered authors.

Name Organization Address Phone Author Identifiers
Sarah Null

How to Cite

Kraft, M., S. Null (2017). Optimizing Barrier Removal in Utah's Weber Basin, HydroShare, https://doi.org/10.4211/hs.fa37f35610c34a278042d7fc93e8c47f

This resource is shared under the Creative Commons Attribution CC BY.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
CC-BY

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