The optimal policy for operating the Haditha dam under conditions of changes in water revenues

Abstract

In view of the limited water imports resulting from the establishment of dams on river sections under conditions of climate change, which affected dam operating policies and the difficulty of achieving requirements for human, agricultural, and industrial use. The objective of this study is to optimize the operation of Haditha Dam and identify annual reservoirs and water releases (operating curves) by applying the standard operating policy. Hydrological information representing water revenues expected at the Iraqi-Syrian border was collected at the Al-Qaim site, and optimized operating curves were extracted for storage (higher-rate - lower) for the dam reservoir. The model relied on the dam's projected annual revenue from 2003 to 2022. The annual operating curves of the dam reservoir (storage curves and releases over time) were devised based on Euphrates River hydrological information. The projected annual deficit in the dam basin has been calculated for various processing ratios. The highest annual projected deficit (4.8 billion cubic meters), while the lowest annual deficit (0.7 billion cubic meters) is expected. Annual operating results showed a surplus when large amounts of expenses were received in addition to primary storage values. Optimal operation is observed at 3 billion cubic meters of primary storage according to water imports and releases. Finally, the study found a deficit in recent years for the period from 2020 to 2022. This deficit is linked to the values of water revenues, which requires rationing to meet the shortfall in water revenues and to meet the deficit in water requirements.