To create a Water Quality Rule, right-click on a Zone in the Operation Tree within the Reservoir Editor's Operations tab and select Add New Rule... from the popup menu (Add New Water Quality Rule). This allows the user to define specific operational rules that govern water quality management at the site location.
Add New Water Quality Rule
The New Operating Rule dialog will appear, where you can enter details for the new rule (New Operating Rule).
New Operating Rule
Enter a name for the rule in the Rule Name field. Water Quality Rules can only be applied to openings that include a water control device. From the Operates Release From dropdown list, select one of the available options that includes a water control device. Then, select Water Quality Rule for the Rule Type. Click OK, and the new rule will appear under the selected zone in the Zone Tree (Water Quality Rule).
Water Quality Rule
The user sets the Function for the Water Quality Rule by clicking the Define… button, which opens the Independent Variable Definition dialog (Water Quality Rule- Independent Variable Definition). The dialog allows the user to specify the release function. Once the function is set, click OK to confirm the settings and return to the main interface.
Water Quality Rule- Independent Variable Definition
The Limit Type options include Minimum, Maximum, and Specified, allowing the user to set the boundaries or specific values for the water quality rule. The Interp. dropdown provides options for interpolation methods: Linear, Cubic, and Step, which determine how values between defined points are calculated.
The Constituent dropdown list will show all the water quality constituents defined in the WQ Constituent Set(s), allowing the user to select the relevant constituent for the rule. Once the Constituent is selected, users can input the specific constituent values in the table, which will be based on the selected Function (Water Quality Rule Table). The table is populated with data relevant to the type of function chosen, enabling the user to define how the water quality rule works with the selected constituent.
The Release Preference field applies when the limit type is Maximum or Minimum, and determines the release elevation when there is operational flexibility. For example, if the user is modeling temperature and includes a maximum temperature rule of 15°C, there will be operational flexibility if the reservoir is isothermal at 12°C. A release preference of Bottom of Pool will ensure water is released from the lowest available location, and a release preference of Top of Pool will ensure water is released from the highest available location.
Water Quality Rule Table
The Water Quality Rule in the Zone tree will include the standard set of right-click options that apply to other rules. These options provide users with additional functionality to manage and modify the rule (Water Quality Rule- Right Click Option).
Water Quality Rule- Right Click Option
