Spatial optimization of hydrologic monitoring networks on rivers

Efficient water resources planning and management must take into account multiple users,criteria, and objectives. Due to this complexity of recent water management problems andsolutions, better analytical tools and methodologies are required. Accomplishment of thisrequirement depends essentially on information gathered on natural and environmentalprocesses so the success of sustainable water resources management depends onmonitoring activities.Many countries have developed extensive streamflow gauging networks. Such adevelopment has led to accumulation of significant amounts of data to eventually raisequestions whether they produce expected information, and whether monitoring should becontinued. These questions have led monitoring agencies to assess their current networksfor efficiency and cost-effectiveness.The study is initiated in respect of above questions to examine various methodologies toassess existing networks. The study also aims to develop some guidelines for consolidationof a monitoring network. The investigation has resulted the use of multi criteria decisionmaking methodologies (MCDM). Consequently, the method of stream orders, a dynamicprogramming approach and two MCDM methods are presented. The proposed study isparticularly focused on the assessment of the ?performance? of existing networks. Theintroduced methods are applied to Gediz River Basin and the results are evaluated withrespect to the ten operational and three non-operational stations. It is concluded that nonoperationalthree stations are the ones to be removed from the network. Additionally theadvantages and disadvantages of the presented methods are discussed. Particular to thenetwork consolidation problem, reference point approach is found more useful.