DECISION SUPPORT LINKING RESERVOIR OPERATION WITH LIVELIHOOD OPTIONS

Case example from Lao PDR

Kam Suan Pheng, Chu Thai Hoanh, Julia Reis, Guillaume Lacombe, Teoh Shwu Jiau

Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy

Session 1 Starting Small: Hydropower dams for water, food and energy

13 November 2012

Decision support: for what purpose?• To maximize power supply; optimize multiple To maximize power supply; optimize multiple

water use water use focus on water management focus on water management

• Can reservoir operation rules accommodate Can reservoir operation rules accommodate livelihood options for affected communities?livelihood options for affected communities?

Case of the Nam Gnouang storage reservoir

Nam Gnouang Dam

Keosaenkham

Typical cross section

1. How would affected communities best use the land and water resources at their disposal to enhance their livelihoods?

2. Can reservoir operation rules accommodate their livelihood needs with minor impact on hydropower production?a) Recession agriculture on seasonally-exposed reservoir and

river banksb) Fish resources enhanced with constructed wetlands

Modeling and simulation to explore win-win situations

Decision support: linking reservoir operation with livelihood options

Reservoir simulation (ResSim)- Simulate fluctuation of water level

Land use planning & analysis system (LUPAS)- Explore cost-effective options of livelihood activities based on land and labour resources at their disposal

GIS modeling & analysis- Spatial analysis and mapping support

A suite of modeling and simulation tools

Examine the interaction between reservoir operation & livelihood opportunities

A suite of modeling and simulation tools

ResSim

LUPAS

GIS

Exposure periodLeast

Most suitable

Slope suitability

Least

Most suitable

Physical access by boat & roadLeast

Most suitable

Keosaenkham

EP

An opportunity to create constructed wetlands ?

Overall suitability for recession agriculture

KSK

Accessibility taking account of road travel onlyAccessibility taking account of road travel only Easy access

Difficult access KSK

Accessibility taking account of road and river travel

Easy access

Difficult access

A suite of modeling and simulation tools

ResSim

LUPAS

GISTHPC designated land use zones for Keosaenkham

Slope steepness

KSK

Division of labour for livelihood activities

Evaluate quality and access to land resources

Increased difficulty of access without boat travel

KSK

Designated zone for upland rice

Year 1 Year 2 Year 5

13 M 22 M 10 M

18 M 26 M 14 M

LUPAS simulation: income scenarios

Points for discussion

• What DSS have been developed that may provide useful information to a hydropower company on how to change their operating rules to enhance local livelihood opportunities?

• What would be the enabling environment required for hydropower companies/operators to take account of the findings of these decision support systems?