A Generalised Conceptual Framework for Integrated Assessment Modelling of Water Resource Management Issues

Nodal network approaches are a common framework for considering water allocation problems. In this type of model framework, a river basin is represented as a series of nodes, where nodes generally represent key points of extraction along the stream. Agricultural production and other water use decisions generally interact with the stream system in two ways: they can affect the generation of runoff and thus the volume of water reaching the stream; or, they may involve direct extraction or use of streamflow once it has reached the stream. This paper provides a generalised conceptual framework for considering these types of interactions and their representation in integrated water allocation models.