ORRMS - A COMPUTER PROGRAM WITH CAPABILITY FOR RIVER BASIN PLANNING STUDIES
by
D. Bechard¹, I. Corbu², R. Gagnon³, G.A. Nix⁴, K. Stewart⁴, and M. Trinh¹

ABSTRACT

ORRMS is a generalized optimization model that was developed to assist various federal and provincial agencies in the operation of the Ottawa River. The model allows decision-makers to establish trade-offs between energy and flood damage objectives while satisfying all other interests such as navigation, low flows, recreation, log driving, etc.
The model is also used as a tool to determine the effect of future developments in the basin and/or the impact of modifying one or more operating constraints.
The paper exemplifies the ORRMS capabilities for river basin planning studies such as those required by federal and provincial water resource management programs.
Canada derives from the British North America Act of 1867 which assigns specific powers to the federal and provincial governments. One of the most important pieces of legislation relating to water resources is the Canada Water Act that provides for the establishment of formal federal-provincial consultative committees on water resources matters. This Act allows for cooperative agreements with regard to the development and implementation of comprehensive plans for the management of river basins. An example of such an endeavour was the formation in February 1977 of the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Committee. One of the most important terms of reference of this Committee was to recommend criteria for regulation of the Ottawa River taking into account hydro-power production, flood protection, navigation, low water problems, water quality needs and recreation. The Committee also had to take into account the possibility of increasing the existing storage capacity in the basin. It was recognized from the beginning that such a complex task should be undertaken only by the cooperation of all agencies involved in, or affected by, the ...