| This research presents some alternative methodologies in water allocation modelling and examines the effects on economic welfare of choosing alternative water allocations in the South Saskatchewan River Basin.;An empirical surface water allocation model for the South Saskatchewan River Basin is built. This simulates current allocation practices and examines alternative scenarios. The model solution characterizes releases and volumes of storage reservoirs, irrigation, urban and instream flows, on a monthly basis. Also presented are monthly economic valuations for each demand node along with an aggregation of total benefits. Alternative allocations resulting from different water supply regimes and varied urban demand and irrigation demand parameters are shown. This approach illustrates the methodology and outcomes associated with using explicit economic criteria in guiding water allocations.;The thesis reviews models of water quality, river basin representation, efficiency in water use, and water allocation, with the objective to address current research questions in water management modelling. |
