APPLICATIONS OF OPTIMAL HYDRAULIC CONTROL TO GROUNDWATER SYSTEMS

Ground-water simulation models are increasingly used for the analysis, design, and management of water-resource problems including ground-water supply and remediation. The solution to these problems involves some degree of control of ground-water hydraulics. Combining simulation with linear optimization can provide a useful tool for problem solution. The optimal hydraulic-control problem for ground-water systems is defined in terms of controls on the ground-water system and typical design criteria. Commonly used linear formulations of the control problem are described in detail. Recent applications of the optimal hydraulic-control approach to field problems are reviewed. The deterministic hydraulic-control problem is contrasted with more sophisticated techniques which incorporate contaminant transport and uncertainty in aquifer parameters. Conclusions are drawn about the likely future applicability of this method for solving ground-water management problems.