Introduction
RiverWare is a reservoir and river basin modeling tool that allows the user to model and analyze a variety of
basin operations in both simulation and forecast modes for more effective decision-making. RiverWare’s modeling
kit represents various physical and structural basin features (e.g., dams, power generators, reservoirs, rivers,
tunnels, water consumers) using RiverWare objects, and the objects’ built-in algorithms mimic the physical
processes of corresponding basin features. The RiverWare Policy Language (RPL) allows the user to formulate
basin operational policies into a ruleset, which approximates real-time decisions by water managers. RiverWare’s
wide variety of applications range from short-term operations to long-term planning and analysis in a river
basin, for example, hydropower optimization, optimized daily scheduling operations of reservoirs,
multi-objective decision making, water accounting, water quality, environmental flows, and climate change
assessments.
RiverWare allows the user to select various generic basin features and link them together to create a basin
topology. The software’s features and utilities allow a wide variety of functions ranging from data-related
operations, application of different solution approaches, management of model runs, and integration of
user-defined policies. In addition, the software has a list of supplementary tools, e.g., RiverWare Study
Manager and Research Tool (River SMART), RDFtoExcel, and Graphical Policy Analysis Tool (GPAT), which assist in
the creation, running, and analysis of the RiverWare model.
