Defining and Enhancing the Safe Yield of a Multi-Use, Multi-Reservoir Water Supply

This research provides guidance for defining water supply safe yields in a southeastern U.S. river basin, which includes multiple reservoirs and water supplies for Duke Power and 18 drinking water utilities. A survey of 20 river systems, domestic and abroad, also demonstrates great diversity in practiced techniques to calculate safe yield. The survey results combined with the southeastern U.S. study site results define strategies to assure safe yields of water supply that meet future demand projections; and the resulting financial, environmental, and public impacts of the selected strategies. Tailored collaboration partner: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities. Published in 2013