Defining the Status Quo

Definition of Status QuoDefinition of Status Quo

The “Status Quo” describes existing or

anticipated conditions of a water resources

system if policies, system

configurations, regulations,

and management strategies

remain unchanged.

Defining the Status Quo RequiresDefining the Status Quo Requires

A shared understanding of the physical, technical, regulatory, management, and policy attributes of the system

A statement of important problems facing the region

Identification of uncertainties and discrepancies in information and policies

A common vocabulary for future discussion

When the Status Quo is DefinedWhen the Status Quo is Defined

Managers and stakeholders develop a shared

understanding of system attributes and

management concerns.

Confirm the appropriateness of planning objectives

Identify constraints to planning alternatives

Establish a baseline for comparison with proposed alternatives

Once the status quo is established it is used to

Status Quo for Tactical and Strategic PlansStatus Quo for

Tactical and Strategic Plans

Tactical Plans define the status quo in terms of existing conditions

Strategic Plans use long-term forecasts to describe future conditions

The Process of Defining the Status QuoThe Process of Defining the Status Quo

Activities in Defining the Status QuoActivities in Defining the Status Quo

Perform a facility inventory, a resource inventory, a legal, policy, economics, management and demand inventory

Resolve conflicting information and data gaps

Develop a Shared Vision Model to develop an integrated expression of your system’s performance

Examine system performance under different hydrologic scenarios

Components of a Facilities InventoryComponents of a

Facilities Inventory

Reservoirs

Distribution facilities

Treatment plants

Diversions

Water-related structures such as boat ramps, locks

Pumping facilities

Components of a Resources Inventory

Components of a Resources Inventory

Fish and Wildlife

Important speciesEndangered species

Hydrology/Climate

Unregulated streamflowData

Gauging station locationsLocal inflowsPrecipitationSnowpack

EvaporationTemperature

Groundwater resources

Water Quality

Existing water qualityFish and wildlife needs(at different life stages)

Sedimentation and scour areas

Types of effluent discharged

Components of a Legal InventoryComponents of a Legal Inventory

Authorized project purposes

Existing water rights and priorities

Instream flow requirements

Water quality regulations

Components of a Management Inventory

Components of a Management Inventory

Operating policies

Rule curves

Triggering mechanisms

Components of a Policy InventoryComponents of a Policy Inventory

Management preferences

Societal preferences

Political concerns

Components of an Economic Inventory

Components of an Economic Inventory

Facility costs

Recreational benefits

Marginal cost pricing

Benefit/Cost analysis

Components of a Demand InventoryComponents of a Demand Inventory

Water uses (instream, offstream, consumptive, non-consumptive)

Demand levels Forecasted demand levels Demand patterns Driving factors Cost of water Conservation strategies Curtailment measures Revenue generated

Choice of Hydrological Data in Status Quo Analysis

Choice of Hydrological Data in Status Quo Analysis

Evaluation of the status quo requires understanding of the average performance of a system as well as its performance under extreme conditions

Good hydrologic data is essential for these assessments

Options for Short Hydrologic Records

Options for Short Hydrologic Records

If hydrologic records are short

Accept historic data set and acknowledge uncertainty

Use data set from a region with similar characteristics

Develop “synthetic” data

Pros and Cons of Design Droughts and Floods

Pros and Cons of Design Droughts and Floods

Use of a Design Drought

Pros

Represents a sequence of events that has actually occurred

Impacts may be tangible to managers and stakeholders

Cons

Will not reoccur in the future

A more severe drought may be possible

May provide region with a false sense of security

Does not provide information on overall system performance

Pros and Cons of Design Droughts and Floods

Pros and Cons of Design Droughts and Floods

SummarySummary

Managers and stakeholders must work to establish a collectively endorsed vision of the status quo.

The status quo acts as a baseline for the comparison of alternatives.

Shared vision models are used to assess cumulative impacts of the status quo.

Hydrologic data sets should be carefully chosen when defining the status quo.

ExerciseExercise