Incorporating Physical, Social, and Institutional Changes in Water Resources Planning and Management
Abstract
The US Army Corps of Engineers is increasingly moving toward a water-shed or systems-based approach to water resources management infra-structure. A key component of this holistic approach is understanding the current context of the watershed and the many changes that have shaped the existing system. This report summarizes and compares 31 case studies where causative physical, social, and institutional (PSI) changes were con-nected to consequential PSI changes associated with water resources plan-ning and management. Consequential changes can also occur in runoff, water quality, and riparian and aquatic ecological features. The 31 studied cases were systematically evaluated relative to: causative and consequen-tial PSI changes (environmental effects); use of analytical frameworks and appropriate models, methods, and technologies; and the attention given to mitigation and/or management of the resultant changes. Some general ob-servations and lessons learned were that study features were unique for each case; consequential environmental effects appeared to be logical, based on the causative changes; analytical frameworks provided a relevant structure for studies; and identified methods and technologies were perti-nent for addressing both causative and consequential changes. One key lesson derived from the case study reviews was that they provide useful, real-world illustrations of the importance of addressing PSI changes in water resources planning and management.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA607165
Entities
People
- Carl T. Swor
- Larry W. Canter
- Manroop K. Chawla
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center