Water User Objects
The water user diverts water from either a reach or reservoir, uses a certain amount, and returns the rest. The USACE‑SWD uses Water User objects to simulate reservoir and reach diversions in their models. In the simulation/calibration model, the user should only configure water users to make direct from reach diversions. Any diversions from the reservoirs should be input directly on the reservoir’s Diversion slot. When the policies are implemented to determine the reservoir diversions, there are additional methods and linking structure that must be created. See Reservoir Diversions for details.
Typically, some water users remove water from the system but do not return any water. Other Water Users are used to divert from one reservoir or reach and pump it into other reservoirs. These Water Users return all the diverted flow to the other reservoir. On each water user, the user should select the Fraction Return Flow method in the Return Flow category. Then, in the Fraction Return Flow Input category select one of the following:
• Input Fraction. The user provides a series of Fractional Return Flows; see Input Fraction in Objects and Methods.
• Zero Fraction. The return flow is set to zero and all water is assumed to be depleted; see Zero Fraction in Objects and Methods.
• Periodic Fraction. A periodic slot will represent the fractional return flow. The USACE‑SWD can input a 1.0 to represent that all water diverted is to be returned; see Periodic Fraction in Objects and Methods.
Revised: 07/09/2023