158. Sustainable Management of Water Resource Infrastructure: The RESCON Approach

The paper illustrates application of the RESCON approach (Palmieri et al. 2003) for determining the technical and economic feasibility of sustainable management of reservoirs by using Sanmanxia and Three Gorges reservoirs as case studies. Practical experience when applying the RESCON (REServoir CONservation) approach indicates that it is almost always more economical to manage reservoirs in a sustainable manner by implementing sound reservoir sedimentation management strategies. Conceptually RESCON uses the “life-cycle management” approach instead of the “design life” approach frequented by conventional design, operation and maintenance of water resource infrastructure. The paper briefly explains the methods used to determine the technical and economical feasibility of sediment management strategies when considered from a “life-cycle management” point of view.