Shiau and Wu (2006)

Shiau JT, Wu FC (2006) Compromise programming methodology for determining instream flow under multiobjective water allocation criteria, JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, 42(5), pp. 1179-1191

Increasing demand of water for human consumption results in a decreased availability of water for instream flows to sustain the natural ecology of a stream or river. This therefore creates a multiple-objective problem. The authors use the Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA) method as well as a Range of Variability Approach (RVA) to quantify the effects of a diversion weir on a stream in Taiwan.

The objectives of this problem are to meet demands and not harm the environment according to IHA and RVA. The method the authors use to solve this multi-objective program is called "compromise programming" which identifies the optimal solution as having the shortest distance to a theoretical ideal point.

Their study really seemed to be two part: first, they demonstrate that the current instream flow of 9.5 m3/s is not sufficient, then they found the optimal solution of 26 m3/s better protects the environment while compromising with preventing water shortages.

I had a difficult time understanding this paper since there were so many different variables being thrown around and I didn't have the patience to memorize/lookup each variable as I came across it. I don't know if they could've communicated their work in any easier way, but it definately hindered getting their point across.

It was nice to see an example of compromise programming being used, and I personally liked that the ecological needs were weighted the same as the human needs (since human needs will increase when ecological needs are ignored).