Real-Time Model Development for the Full River System

Date
2007-03
Authors
Melvill, James Alexander
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
Increased water demand coupled with limited resources has increased the need for greater control over our water resources. The Orange-Fish-Sundays Transfer Scheme, which transfers 700 million m3/yr (as measured from 2002 to 2005) from the Orange River to the water scarce Fish and Sundays River valleys in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, is losing an estimated 200 million m3/yr to the sea. These estimated losses are equal to half the current water supply to the Western Cape water supply system for 2005 (E. Van den Berg). For this reason the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry requested a new hydrodynamic model to simulate the requested irrigation demands and forecast the required flow release from the control structures to assure supply as well as limit losses. This thesis outlines the development of the new hydrodynamic model along with the data control systems setup to manage the real-time data, the inflow forecasts as well as the requested demands for the river system. These systems were developed to assist with the operation of the model by non-technical operators, thus reducing the training and operation costs of the river system. The completed model will be tested during 2007 and further improvements are to be made during this period.
Description
Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))-- University of Stellenbosch, 2007.
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