25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.

64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

INTEGRATED RESERVOIRS OPERATION FOR INCREASING

RELIABILITY AND MAINTAINING EQUITY OF WATER SUPPLY

EXPLOITATION INTEGREE DES RESERVOIRS POUR ACCROITRE

LA FIABILITE ET MAINTENIR L'EQUITE DE
L'APPROVISIONNEMENT EN EAU
Dr. Sangle Shivaji1, Er Balasaheb Chivate2, and Ms. Shivani Sangle3

ABSTRACT

The reliability of irrigation service is the degree to which the irrigation system and its water
deliveries conform to the prior expectations of its users. The possibility of supplying as much
water to the irrigation area as is needed during each period of the irrigation season depends
primarily on the availability of water at its source, particularly reservoirs. The function of the
reservoir is to regulate natural inflows, which vary irregularly due to climate variability, to
provide outflows at a more reliable and regular rate which is determined by water demand for
one or more uses. Surplus water is temporarily stored in the reservoir when inflows exceed
outflows. However, role of reservoir operation is very critical at the time of water scarcity for
providing reliable, adequate and equitable water supply in the river basin or sub-basin.
In this paper an attempt has been made to present a typical case study of increasing reliability
and maintaining equity of water supply between upstream and downstream area of the
Godavari sub-basin up to Jayakwadi (Paithan) Dam located in the state of Maharashtra, India.
The Godavari river basin is the second largest river basin in India. Water scarcity is the main
problem which badly affects reliability and equitable distribution of water in the Upper Godavari
sub-basin. The present study covers 17 major and 7 medium projects (a complex of 24
irrigation projects) located in the upstream of the Upper Godavari sub-basin and Jayakwadi
dam located exactly at the downstream border of the sub-basin. This sub-basin has been
experiencing water scarcity situation frequently leading to conflict for water sharing between
upstream and downstream stakeholder. The Godavari Study Group (2013), appointed by the
Government of Maharashtra, have formulated guiding principles on integrated operation of
reservoirs in Upper Godavari sub basin (up to Paithan dam) for increasing reliability and
maintaining equity of water supply. For sharing water scarcity, study group used the principle
that the water stored in the reservoirs in the basin or sub-basin, as the case may be, shall be
controlled by the end of October every year in such way that the percentage of utilizable water
shall approximately the same for all reservoirs. The study group has decided six scenarios of
operating strategy, on the basis of simulation and system modeling analysis for reservoir
operation. In order to share water distress, water is released and transferred a long distance
through respective sub river to Jayakwadi dam reservoir for increasing reliability and
maintaining equity of water supply in river sub-basin. This typical case study will address the
problem of sharing of water scarcity/distress within basin/sub-basin for reliable and equitable
distribution water. Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) is playing a
crucial role for judicious, equitable and sustainable water management in the State of
Maharashtra, India
Keywords: Reliability of water, Equity of water, Water scarcity, Reservoir operation,
Water transfer.

1 Former Member (Economics), Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA), Mumbai-
400005, (M.S.), India Email: sanglest@yahoo.co.in
2 Director (Technical), International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi – 110021, India Email: bachivate@icid.org
3 Full-Time Student, Final Year, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Economics (Honors), Wilson College Chowpatthy,
Mumbai (M.S), India-400007 Email: 84shivanisangle@gmail.com

1
 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

RESUME

La fiabilité du service d'irrigation est la mesure dans laquelle le système d'irrigation et ses
distributions d'eau sont conformes aux attentes préalables de ses usagers. La possibilité de
fournir à la zone d'irrigation la quantité d'eau nécessaire à chaque période de la saison
d'irrigation dépend principalement de la disponibilité de l'eau à sa source, en particulier des
réservoirs. La fonction du réservoir est de régler les influx naturels, qui varient de manière
irrégulière en raison de la variabilité climatique, afin de fournir des sorties à un taux plus fiable
et régulier, déterminé par la demande en eau pour un ou plusieurs usages. L'eau excédentaire
est temporairement stockée dans le réservoir lorsque les influx dépassent les sorties.
Cependant, le rôle de l'exploitation des réservoirs est très important en période de pénurie
d'eau pour assurer un approvisionnement en eau fiable, adéquat et équitable dans le bassin ou
le sous-bassin fluvial.
Dans cet article, nous avons essayé de présenter une étude de cas typique visant à accroître
la fiabilité et à maintenir l'équité de l'approvisionnement en eau entre la zone de l'amont et de
l'aval du sous-bassin de la Godavari jusqu'au barrage de Jayakwadi (Paithan), situé dans l'État
du Maharashtra, en Inde. Le bassin fluvial de Godavari est le deuxième plus grand bassin
fluvial de l'Inde. La pénurie d'eau est le principal problème qui affecte gravement la fiabilité et la
distribution équitable de l'eau dans le sous-bassin supérieure de Godavari La présente étude
couvre 17 projets majeurs et 7 projets moyens (un mélange de 24 projets d'irrigation) situés en
amont du sous-bassin supérieur de Godavari et le barrage de Jayakwadi situé exactement à la
limite aval du sous-bassin. Ce sous-bassin a connu une situation de pénurie d'eau conduisant
fréquemment à des conflits pour le partage de l'eau entre les parties prenantes en amont et en
aval. Le groupe d'étude de Godavari (2013), nommé par le gouvernement du Maharashtra, a
formulé des principes directeurs sur l'exploitation intégrée des réservoirs dans le sous-bassin
supérieur de Godavari (jusqu'au barrage de Paithan) afin d'accroître la fiabilité et de maintenir
l'équité de l'approvisionnement en eau. Pour partager la pénurie d'eau, le groupe d'étude a
utilisé le principe selon lequel l'eau stockée dans les réservoirs du bassin ou du sous-bassin,
selon le cas, doit être contrôlée d'ici la fin du mois d'octobre de chaque année de manière à ce
que le pourcentage d'eau utilisable soit approximativement le même dans tous les réservoirs.
Le groupe d'étude a décidé de tenir en compte six scénarios de stratégie d'exploitation, sur la
base d'une simulation et d'une analyse de modélisation du système pour l'exploitation du
réservoir. Afin de partager la pénurie d'eau, l'eau est prélevée et transférée sur une longue
distance à travers les sous-fleuves respectifs jusqu'au réservoir du barrage de Jayakwadi pour
augmenter la fiabilité et maintenir l'équité de l'approvisionnement en eau dans le sous-bassin
fluvial. Cette étude de cas typique abordera le problème du partage de la pénurie/détresse
hydrique au sein du bassin/sous-bassin pour une distribution fiable et équitable de l'eau.
L'Autorité de régulation des ressources en eau du Maharashtra (MWRRA) joue un rôle crucial
dans la gestion judicieuse, équitable et durable de l'eau dans l'État du Maharashtra, en Inde.
Mots-clés : Fiabilité de l'eau; Équité de l'eau; Pénurie d'eau; Exploitation des réservoirs;
Transfert d'eau.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The reliability of any system is the probability that a system which performs the required
functions for a specified period of time under stated conditions. The reliability of irrigation
service is the degree to which the irrigation system and its water deliveries conform to the prior
expectations of its users. Water supply reliability analysis can be applied to adaptively manage
water supply under the multiple factors of climate change, changing demand, new regulations
on environmental flows, and system disruptions due to extreme events. Unreliability of water
supplies has many sources, including drought, natural calamities (such as floods, wildfires, and
earthquakes), mechanical breakdowns, chemical contamination, changing human behavior and
climate, and sub-optimal system management. The possibility of supplying as much water to
the irrigation area as is needed during each period of the irrigation season depends primarily
on the availability of water at its source, particularly reservoirs. The function of the reservoir is
to regulate natural inflows, which vary irregularly due to climate variability, to provide outflows
at a more reliable and regular rate which is determined by water demand for one or more uses.
Surplus water is temporarily stored in the reservoir when inflows exceed outflows. However,
role of reservoir operation is very critical at the time of water scarcity for providing reliable,
adequate and equitable water supply in the river basin or sub-basin. Climate change is a major
dilemma faced by humanity during the last few decades, and it has serious ramifications for
water resource management, irrigation water supplies, and crop water demands. Hydrologic

2
 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

implications of climate change brunt are frequently witnessed including extreme events such as
heavy rainfalls, heat waves, floods and droughts. Conventionally, water resource structures
including reservoirs were designed to meet the water demands associated with a drought of
specific recurrence interval, but the climate induced uncertainty in the occurrence probabilities
of the extreme events. Climate change has impacted in the form of uneven rainfall distribution
and water related disasters such as floods and droughts. Globally, average water stress is 11
per cent. India is among the 31 countries experiencing water stress in the range of 25-70 per
cent. Most of the river basins in India will experience water stress by 2025, with annual per
capita renewable water availability below 1700 cubic meters (DMEO 2021). Irrigation project
reservoirs in Maharashtra State were originally constructed to reliably supply water based on
farming practices and water demands. However, rapid urbanization, socioeconomic
development, extensive farm mechanization, and climate change have altered farming
practices and water consumption patterns over time in this region. Jayakwadi (Paithan) Dam
located in the state of Maharashtra, India across the river Godavari facing the problem of water
scarcity which badly affects reliability and equitable distribution of water in this region. Numbers
of major and medium projects are constructed in upstream side of the dam i.e. Upper Godavari
sub-basin. This sub-basin has been experiencing water scarcity situation frequently leading to
conflict for water sharing between upstream and downstream stakeholder. There is need to
address the problem of sharing of water scarcity/distress within Upper Godavari sub-basin for
reliable and equitable distribution water. Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority
(MWRRA) is playing a crucial role for judicious, equitable and sustainable water management
in the State of Maharashtra, India.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this paper is to study integrated reservoirs operation of irrigation projects
complex for insuring reliable and equitable water supply in the river basin/sub-basin. However,
following are the specific objectives:
1. To study water availability in the river basin in the State of Maharashtra, India.
2. To study integrated reservoirs operation of irrigation projects complex in the river
basin/sub-basin.
3. To study reliability and equity of water supply in the river basin/sub-basin.
4. To study sharing of water scarcity/distress within sub-basin for reliable and equitable
distribution water.

3.0 METHODOLOGY

1. The present study is rely on secondary data. Secondary data are collected from
various Government reports, plan documents, departmental and authority
guidelines/orders, information from the research articles, journals and magazines,
internet, etc. The data also collected from the officials from various departments.
2. A case study approach has been used for detailed investigation.
3. The Godavari river basin is the second largest river basin in India. The study area of
the Upper Godavari sub-basin located in the State of Maharashtra, India, has been
selected for this research work.
4. The present study covers 17 major and 7 medium projects (a complex of 24 irrigation
projects) located in the upstream of the Upper Godavari sub-basin and Jayakwadi
dam. Water scarcity is the main problem which badly affects reliability and equitable
distribution of water in this region.
5. Overall reservoirs water planning of 24 irrigation projects complex are analyzed in this
study by using the approximate equitable concept at sub-basin level to have rational,
reliable, equitable and effective utilization of the water resources on the basis of
simulation and system modeling analysis.
6. Four models are developed and used for analysis.
a) Upper Godavari Basin Baseline Model v05.

3
 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

b) Upper Godavari Basin Management Model m03.

c) Upper Godavari Basin Forecasting Model.
d) Upper Godavari Basin Optimization Model

7. This study will address the problem of sharing of water scarcity/distress within
basin/sub-basin for reliable and equitable distribution water.

4.0 WATER AVAILABILITY IN THE RIVER BASIN OF MAHARASHTRA STATE,

INDIA

Maharashtra is second highest populated, third largest in area, second urbanized and most
industrialized state in India. Maharashtra State has about 9 per cent of India’s population but is
endowed with only 7 per cent of country’s renewable water resources. Maharashtra State has
geographical area 307.58 lakh ha, which includes gross cropped area 231.75 lakh ha. The
estimated average annual availability of water resources of the State of Maharashtra is 198
Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) which consists of 164 BCM of surface water and 34 BCM of
groundwater. With massive investment in irrigation sector, so far state has under taken and
completed 87 major, 297 medium and 3519 minor irrigation projects and created 43.8 billion
cubic meters live storage capacity (WRD 2019). The total live storage as on 15th October,
2021 in the major, medium and minor irrigation (State sector) reservoirs taken together was
34,438 million cubic meters, which was nearly 79 per cent of the storage capacity as per the
project design (ESM GOM 2022-23). According to the Maharashtra Water and Irrigation
Commission Report (1999), the ultimate irrigation potential of the State is 12.6 million ha,
comprising 8.5 million ha from surface water and 4.1 million ha through ground water (MWIC-
1999). Irrigation potential created up to June, 2021 by major, medium and minor irrigation
(State sector) projects is 55.24 lakh ha and actual irrigated area is 43.38 lakh ha (78.5%)
during 2021-22. However, in case of minor irrigation local sector irrigation potential created up
to June, 2021 is 19.45 lakh ha and actual irrigated area is 8.93 lakh ha (45.91%) during 2021-
22 (ESM GOM 2022-23). The area of the state is covered under five major river basins namely
Godavari, Krishna, Tapi, Narmada and West flowing river basins. Also a very small area of
North-Eastern part of the state comes under the sixth Mahanadi basin. Basin wise area map of
the State of Maharashtra, along with population and available water, is given in the in Figure
no.1 and Basin wise surface and ground water available is given in the Table no. 1.

Figure 1. Map showing river basins in Maharashtra

Source: Water Conservation and Saving in Agriculture (Editor- Dr. Suresh A. Kulkarni), Water Resources
Department (WRD), Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai (M.S.), India Pg.79

It is seen for the figure 1 that 55 per cent of the surface water resources are located in west
flowing river basin of Konkan region, which has about 25 per cent of the State's population but

4
 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

only 10.7 per cent of cultivable land. While remaining four basins together constitutes 75 per
cent of the State’s population and more than 80 per cent of the cultivable area and have only
45 per cent of the water resources. Due to very small area, sixth Mahanadi basin is not
reflected in the figure 1. Godavari basin has occupied about 50 per cent of cultivable land and
has only 27 per cent availability of water resource in State of Maharashtra. This uneven
temporal-spatial availability of water resources poses formidable challenges in meeting the
increasing demand of water by different sectors.
Table 1. Basin wise surface and ground water available in Maharashtra
(Million Cubic Meters)

Surface Water (SW) Ground water Total Total

Sr. Basin (GW) water water
No. Average 75% Allowed Net 70% Net availa Allow
Available Depe- by rechar recharg ble ed
ndable Tribunals ge e

1 Godavari 51757 38607 29023 41271 12248 50855 41271

2 Krishna 33710 29301 16562 22041 5479 34780 22041
3 Tapi 9656 7027 5995 9251 3256 10283 9251
4 West flow- 74739 64218 64218 65801 1583 65801 65801
ing rivers
5 Narmada 309 308 308 333 25 333 333
6 Mahanadi 165 103 103 122 19 122 122
Total 170336 139564 116209 32292 22610 16217 13881
4 9

Source: Data compiled from the report on Integrated State Water Plan for Maharashtra Vol. I, 2018, Water
Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, India
Table 1 depict that the total water availability in the State of Maharashtra, at average annual
dependability is 202.6 BCM, which consists of 170.3 BCM of surface water and 32.3 BCM of
groundwater. The total water available is 162.2 BCM, which consists of surface water of 139.6
BCM at 75% dependable yield and the groundwater at 70% net recharge, as per
recommendations of State Water Board (SWB) is 22.6 BCM. Except the west flowing rivers of
Konkan region, Maharashtra shares remaining 5 river basins with the neighbouring State.
Various inter-state river water disputes, tribunal awards / agreements and decisions on water
sharing have limited the use of surface water resources and put a cap on the storages /
exploitation the of the water within the State boundaries. Therefore, the total surface water
allotted to the State of Maharashtra for use is 116.2 BCM, of which 64.2 BCM (55%)
contribution is alone of west flowing rivers basin of Konkan area. However, the cultivable area
of this region / basin is very limited (6.4%), comprising of narrow strip of 50 Km between
Sahyadri mountain ranges and Arabian Sea. Hence, there is a limitation on local use of entire
available water. The cultivable area of 5 basins (93.6%) is having only 45 per cent of water
resources. Due to these constraints, about 42.5 per cent area of the State lies in deficit or
highly deficit category. The State is experiencing water shortage and recurrent droughts.

5.0 IRRIGATION PROJECTS COMPLEX IN UPPER GODAVARI SUB-BASIN

The present case study is from the State of Maharashtra, India which dealt with the reliable and
equitable supply of water between 24 major and medium dams located in the upstream of the
sub-basin and the Jayakwadi dam located exactly at the downstream border of the Godavari
sub-basin. The upstream projects are grouped in to five complexes viz., (1) Mula, (2) Pravara,
(3) Godavari-Darna, (4) Gangapur, and (5) Palkhed. The schematic diagram of these 23 major
and medium dams / reservoir with their groupings in the sub basin is shown in the Figure 2 and
map in the Figure 3. The figures in parenthesis show their values of design live storages. The
Godavari river basin is the second largest river basin in India draining an area of 3, 12,811 sq.
km. and in Maharashtra State it drains an area of 1,52,598 sq. km. (i.e. 48.78 % of total area).
The present study covers 17 major and 7 medium projects (a complex of 24 irrigation projects)
located in the upstream of the Upper Godavari sub-basin and Jayakwadi dam located exactly
at the downstream border of the sub-basin. The sub-basin has been experiencing water
scarcity situation frequently leading to conflict for water sharing between upstream and
downstream stakeholder. The state water policy formulated by Government of Maharashtra in

5
 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

2003 envisages that the water resources of the state shall be planned, developed, managed
with a river basin and sub basin as the unit. This policy states that the distress in water
availability during deficit period shall be shared equitably amongst different sectors of water use
and also amongst upstream and downstream users.

Figure 2. Schematic of the Reservoir Complexes in the Upper Godavari Sub-basin

Source: Godavari Study Group Report (GSGR 2013), Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, India. Page
No. 45.

Figure 3. Map showing Project Complex (Major and Medium Dams) in upper Godavari Basin
Source: Godavari Study Group Report (GSGR 2013), Government of Maharashtra (GOM), Mumbai, India.
Page No. 147

6.0 RELIABILITY AND EQUITY OF WATER SUPPLY IN THE GODAVARI

RIVER SUB-BASIN

Reliability usually is expressed as a probability of achieving water system performance

objectives. The most common performance metric is a probability distribution of water delivery
quantity. The function of the reservoir is to regulate natural inflows, which vary irregularly due to
climate variability, to provide outflows at a more reliable and regular rate which is determined
by water demand for one or more uses. Surplus water is temporarily stored in the reservoir
when inflows exceed outflows. However, role of reservoir operation is very critical at the time of
water scarcity for providing reliable, adequate and equitable water supply in the river basin or
sub-basin. The quantities that are necessary to describe reservoir dynamics are as following:

6
 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

Water storage, more precisely active/live storage is the volume of water stored above the
minimum level i.e. the level of the lowest valve of off-take and up to maximum value i.e. the
level of the spillway crest. During floods, excess water is routed through the spillway, which
causes temporary storage above the normal limit. This is known as flood control storage. Water
storage below the minimum level is known as dead or inactive storage and it serves two main
purposes: It provides volume for sediment accumulation and environmental protection, as it
protects the habitat of the reservoir during dry periods by hindering complete emptying.
Net water inflow is the algebraic sum of cumulative inflows to the reservoir minus the losses
during the same time period.
Water demand is the sum of all water requirements for the different water uses served by the
reservoir for the specific time period. The demand may vary with time (e.g. due to seasonal
agricultural demand or due to some rule, usually based on the quantity of water in the
reservoir).
Water release, also known as withdrawal or outflow is the actual amount of water taken from
the reservoir in an attempt to satisfy water demand during the specific time period.
Water spill is the excess water that, during times of floods and simultaneously high reservoir
storage, cannot be stored in the reservoir due to the upper reservoir storage limit.
Numbers of major and medium projects are constructed in upstream side of the dam i.e. Upper
Godavari sub-basin. This sub-basin has been experiencing water scarcity situation frequently
leading to conflict for water sharing between upstream and downstream stakeholder. There is
need to address the problem of sharing of water scarcity/distress within Upper Godavari sub-
basin for reliable and equitable distribution water.
Simulation is the most applied method in evaluating different water resource systems. It is
evident that simulation doesn’t identify optimal design and policy, but is a rigorous tool for
evaluating different plans and policies of exploitation that are identified by simpler optimizing
models. In this study, integrated water resources management is selected for simulating water
resource system of Godavari sub-basin.

6.1 upper godavari e-source modelling work and water distres management

e-Water Australia and IWRM team, CADA, Aurangabad has developed four type models
available on e-water wiki website confluence page.
(1) Upper Godavari Basin Baseline Model v05
(2) Upper Godavari Basin Management Model m03
(3) Upper Godavari Basin Forecasting Model
(4) Upper Godavari Basin Optimization Model
Upper Godavari Basin Baseline Model v05
Upper Godavari Basin Baseline Model v05 is a key output of data collection & analysis and
Modeling Phases-I, which is available on e-Water wiki confluence web site and downloaded.
The baseline model includes details of all dams, reservoirs and water control structures. It also
has cropping patterns for all command areas and a sub model of soil profile water balance and
crop water use is used to generate a water requirement for each crop within each of the
command areas. This crop sub model effectively “orders” irrigation water from upstream
reservoirs. At reservoirs where measure water releases occurred during the modeled period
(1985 to 2014) in addition to command area requirements, the baseline model is configured to
ensure that these water releases occur. River operation wizard with all validated data and
catchment mode GR4J with calibration parameters are used as given by Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT) Bombay of all 51 sub-catchments. River losses are also included by using
separate node. The Upper Godavari Baseline v05 model provides marked improvements on
earlier Upper Godavari model versions with updated data, corrected errors and inclusion of
processes that were not include previously. The processes and conditions in the Upper
Godavari sub-basin are included now. In Baseline v05, the inclusion of residual catchment
inflows and river losses is modeled using regionalized rainfall-runoff parameters provided by IIT

7
 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

Bombay. This has resulted in a significant improvement in the representation of Jayakwadi

water balance.
Upper Godavari Basin Management Model m03
The objective of this part of the project is to model water management options for operation of
all dams in the Upper Godavari Sub-Basin to improve the equitable distribution of water within
the basin. Equitable distribution of water in the basin is defined as the sharing of water scarcity
and distress, caused by water scarcity among the projects in the basin. The river basin model
for water management is developed from the Upper Godavari Baseline model v05. In contrast
to the Baseline model, the Upper Godavari Management model has water transfers and water
releases controlled by rules for redistribution of water – including those specified for equitable
distribution of water. During the model run, calculations are made every 15th October to assess
the relative water levels in upstream storages to levels in Jayakwadi reservoir and then the
water volumes to be released are calculated. The third and fourth models are related to the
forecasting and optimization.

6.2 Godavari Study Group (GSGR GOM 2013)

Water scarcity or water distress in relation to a particular water resources project means a
situation when actual availability of live storage is less than 33% of design live storage of that
project as on the 15th October. In the year 2012, the Jayakwadi dam had received meager
yield from the catchment area. The live storage achieved was 70.96 Mcum (3.27%) on 15th
October, 2012. However, upstream projects complexes have sufficient live storages. These
issues of water scarcity and equitable distribution of water are challenged in the Court of Law
and Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA), Mumbai by the sufferers.
The Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra has constituted the Godavari
Study Group for formulation of regulations/guiding principles on integrated operation of
reservoirs in Upper Godavari sub basin to address likely water scarcity situation in Paithan dam
and share water distress between upstream projects complex and up to Paithan Dam on 29
January, 2013.The river basin simulation approach is generally used to provide an effective tool
for better planning and management of water resources in the basin or sub-basin. However,
this study group has adopted conventionally general simulation principle model. The present
water stress situation is most likely to occur more frequently in future as the water resources
available in the sub-basin are not sufficient to meet the demands. The present water stress
scenario will have to be managed with the well strategy of deficit sharing in respect of a whole
sub-basin. Accordingly, the strategy and/or options and their quantitative effects on overall
water planning are analyzed in this study by using the approximate equitable concept at sub-
basin level to have rational and effective utilization of the water resources on the basis of
simulation and system modeling analysis.

6.3 Operating Strategy Scenario (GSGR GOM 2013)

The operating strategy for reservoir operation, decides the specification of how much water is
to be stored and released each time, depending on the situation of the water availability and
water demands in the project complex in that period, to attain the best specific goal i.e.
approximate equitable and reliable distribution of water. So it is decided to consider following 6
scenarios covering different conditions of probabilities of inflows in Paithan dam including the
bad year and good year.
(1) 100% dependable year of Paithan dam.
(2) 90% dependable year of Paithan dam.
(3) 75% dependable year of Paithan dam.
(4) 50% dependable year of Paithan dam.
(5) Average yield.
(6) Good year.
Above mentioned probability criterion is based on the performance requirements of the
multipurpose projects and will be successful if;

8
 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

(1) Domestic requirement is fulfilled for 100% of its life period.

(2) Industrial requirement is fulfilled for 90% of its life period.
(3) Irrigation requirement is fulfilled for 75% of its life period.
As the sub-basin is in water stress situation, the scenario for 50% dependability, average yield
and good year is also decided. The computation of these scenarios are done to evaluate how
the project complex would perform if operated in a particular manner under a given set of
predetermined conditions, permitting evaluation of the project complex under a parameters and
variables. The computations are done with the following components:
(1) Water Availability / Yield. (2) Water demands
(3) Reservoir Evaporation (4) Physical constraints
(5) Options (6) Operating rules
(7) Outputs.

6.4 Water balance analysis

The water demands are considered as variable parameter. Taking into account the priorities of
water usage as per state water policy, the demands are curtailed and water balance analysis
for study year is carried out till the complexes perform successfully to meet the variable
demands. The distribution of utilizable water available in the Upper Godavari sub basin is given
in the Table no. 2
Table 2. Distribution of utilizable water available in the Upper Godavari Sub-basin

Proportionate of Demand (%)

Sr. Observed yield Domesti Industria Season wise agricultural use

No. equal to c use l use
Kharif Rabi H.W.
(Rainy) (Winter) (Summer)
1 100 % Dependable 80 80 80 0 0
year
2 90 % 80 80 80 32 0
Dependable year
3 75 % 80 80 80 52 0
Dependable year
4 50 % 80 80 80 72 0
Dependable year
5 Average yield 80 80 80 80 0

6 Good year 100 100 100 100 100

Source: Data compiled from Godavari Study Group Report August 2013,
Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, India, Pg. 50

The outputs of six scenarios are described briefly below:

Operating Strategy-I (100% dependable year of Jayakwadi Project): In this scenario 100%
dependable year (2012) of Jayakwadi Project is considered, hence less water is available to
meet the various demands. All the demands of all the purposes will not be met in this scenario.
Hence, 20% reduction in sanctioned / design demands of (1) domestic use (2) Industrial use
and (3) Kharif seasonal crop is contemplated. It will not be possible to provide water for Rabi
and Hot Weather (H.W.) crops in this scenario.
Operating Strategy-II (90% dependable year of Jayakwadi Project): In this scenario 90%
dependable year (2003) of Jayakwadi Project is considered, hence less water is available to
meet the various demands. All the demands of all the purposes will not be met in this scenario.
Hence, 20% reduction in sanctioned / design demands of (1) domestic use (2) Industrial use
and (3) Kharif seasonal crop is contemplated. However, it will be possible to provide 32% of
Rabi demands for protective irrigation. It will not be possible to provide water for HW crops in
this scenario.

9
 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

Operating Strategy-III (75% dependable year of Jayakwadi Project): In this scenario 75%
dependable year (1992) of Jayakwadi Project is considered. It is expected that all the design
demands should be satisfied in this scenario as projects are designed for 75% dependable
yield. However, study indicates that water is not adequate to meet all the design demands.
Hence, 20% reduction in sanctioned/design demands of (1) domestic use (2) industrial use and
(3) Kharif seasonal crop is contemplated. However, it is planned to provide 52% Rabi demands
for protective irrigation. It will not be possible to provide water for HW crops in this scenario
also.
Operating Strategy-IV (50% dependable year of Jayakwadi Project: In this scenario 50%
dependable year (1999) of Jayakwadi Project is considered. It is expected that all the design
demands should be satisfied in this scenario as projects are designed for 75% dependable
yield. However, study indicates that water is not adequate to meet all the design demands.
Hence, 20% reduction in sanctioned/design demands of (1) domestic use (2) Industrial use (3)
Kharif seasonal crop is contemplated. However, it will be possible to provide 72% Rabi
demands. It will not be possible to provide water for HW crops in this scenario also.
Operating Strategy-V (Average yield): In this scenario average yields in all complexes are
considered. It is expected that all the design demands should be satisfied in this scenario as
projects are designed for 75% dependable yield. However, study indicates that water is not
adequate to meet all the design demands. Hence, 20% reduction in sanctioned/design
demands of (1) domestic use (2) Industrial use, (3) Kharif use and (4) Rabi use is
contemplated. However, it will not be to provide water for HW crops in this scenario also.
Operating Strategy–VI (Good Year): In this scenario good year (2008) of Jaykwadi Project is
considered (IS 7323: 1994 – Good year is a year during which the precipitation or stream flow
is more than that in the normal year. Normal year, is a year during which the precipitation or
stream flow are within Plus (+) 20 percent of the long period average value). The study
indicates that water is adequate to meet all the design demands 100%.

7.0. RECOMMENDATIONS OF GODAVARI STUDY GROUP (GSGR GOM 2013)

Live storages of the upper reservoirs should be synchronized with the status of Paithan Dam.
Based on the details of the water available with crop water and N% requirement studies for the
various probabilities the following recommendations are made by the Godavari Study Group
(GSG) in two phases. Different regulating operating strategies for integrated operation of
reservoirs are given in the Table no. 3.
Phase-I (Short Term Measures)
Regulate the upper reservoirs during filling (monsoon) period based on the strategy for
integrated operation of reservoirs with coordinated approach at Upper Godavari (up to Paithan
dam) sub-basin level in such a way that likely water scarcity situation may not be attained in
Paithan reservoir.
The upper reservoirs shall be regulated starting from the beginning of September on the basis
of assessment of utilizable water available, rainfall forecast and availability of actual live
storage in the individual reservoirs and systems of reservoirs (complex) at the end of August.
The release of water from the various complexes shall be effected in the month of September
and latest by 15th October so that the Paithan reservoir reaches at the level with actual live
storage equals to or more than 33% of design live storage as on the 15 thOctober.
The guiding principles (operating rules) for operating strategy-I presented in Table no.3 shall be
followed for releasing water proportionally from the various complex.
Kharif (rainy season) irrigation requirement to the extent of crop water requirement worked out
scientifically taking into consideration the conjunctive ground water use, shall be met with from
utilizable water from the respective systems of reservoirs/complex.
Diversion of monsoon flows through canals, flood canals and rivers/streams for kharif use out
of project command area, feeding tanks, farm ponds etc. shall be allowed only after Paithan
reservoir level reaches to its full capacity.
Above ground surface storages/ water bodies may not be created in this sub-basin henceforth.

10
 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

Phase-II (Long Term Measures)

The water stress situation/scenario in Upper Godavari (up to Paithan dam) sub-basin is
required to be manage with a well plan strategy of deficit sharing to ensure the approximate
equitable and judicious distribution of available water resources as contemplated in MWRRA
Act, 2005 and State Water Policy (2003 and 2019), adopting sub-basin as the unit.
Develop computer based techniques and applications of system engineering techniques with
the technical assistance of national/ international Institutes or Consultants for real time
integrated operation of reservoirs with the real time data acquisition system (RTDAS) and flood
forecasting model in the Upper Godavari (up to dam) sub-basin as early as possible.
Once the Decision Support System developed and operative, then the strategy for integrated
operation of all the major and medium project reservoirs shall be adopted in the systems of
reservoirs/complex during filling (monsoon) period on as per guiding principles (operating rules)
given earlier.
Table 3. Upper reservoirs storages to be synchronized with the status of Paithan Dam

Operating Utilizable water including monsoon use and excluding carryover (Mcum) (% of
design live storage)
Strategy

Jayak- Gangapu Godavari Darna

Complex Mula Pravara Palkhed
wadi r

Dams including Paithan Mandh Bhandar- Ganga- Alandi, Kadwa, Karanjwan,W

ol, dara, pur, aghad,
the complex Bham, Waki,
Mula Nilwande, Kashyap Punegaon,Oj
Adhala, Bhawali, harkhed,Palk
i Darna, Mukane,
Bhojapur hed, Tisgaon
Gautami Waldevi

Design water 2618.59 717.78 835.84 324.81 1220.04 456.52

use

Strategy I 797 303 320 187 461 254

(100%) (49 (56%) (61%) (64%) (73%)
(37%)
%)
Strategy II 1173 402 425 227 604 254
(90%) (54%) (65 (74%) (74%) (84%) (73%)
%)
Strategy III 1409 489 500 252 736 287
(75%) (79 (88%) (82%) (102%) (82%)
(65%)
%)
Strategy IV 1645 576 575 277 870 345
(50%) (93 (101%) (90%) (121%) (99%)
(76%)
%)
Strategy V 1738 611 605 287 918 369
(Average yield) (80%) (99 (106%) (93%) (128%) (105%)
%)

Strategy VI 2237 689 836 313 1220 457

(Good year) (103%) (112% (146%) (101%) (170%) (130%)
)

Source: Data compiled from Godavari Study Group Report August 2013, Government of Maharashtra,
Mumbai, India, Pgs. 50 & 51

11
 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

8.0 WATER DISTRESS MANAGEMENT FOR EQUITABLE AND RELIABLE

WATER SUPPLY

Maharashtra is a pioneer state in India to have Water Resources Regulatory Act (2005) and
established Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) to regulate water
resource; facilitate and ensure judicious equitable and sustainable management; allocation and
utilization of water resources. MWRRA is playing a crucial role for judicious, equitable and
sustainable water management in the State of Maharashtra, India. Based on the various
petitions filed both by the upstream and downstream parties, the matter was heard and
MWRRA issued an Order on 19 September 2014 and given detailed directions to the Water
Resource Department (WRD), Government of Maharashtra. The MWRRA in its order adopted
the guiding principles of the reservoir operation and equitable distribution of water among the
upstream and the downstream reservoirs as proposed by the Godavari Study Group Report
(2013). The computation of water to be released on 15th October during the respective water
scarcity years are done by the Godavari Maharashtra Irrigation Development Corporation
(GMIDC), Aurangabad, (M.S.) on the basis of direction given by the MWRRA in the said order.
Project complex wise water stress sharing in the upper Godavari sub basin during the
respective water scarcity years is given in the Table no.4.
Table 4. Project complex wise water stress sharing in the upper Godavari sub basin
(In Million Cubic Meters)

Year wise release of water

Name of the
Sr. No.
Project Complex 2018-
2014-15 2015-16 2018-19
19*
1 Mula 101.75 49.38 54.00 54.00
2 Pravara 121.87 184.00 109.00 109.00
3 Gangapur 0.00 38.38 17.00 0.00
4 Godavari- Darna 0.00 91.87 57.50 91.50
5 Palkhed 0.00 0.00 17.00 0.00
Total 223.62 363.63 254.50 254.50
( * ) After review and revised planning
Source: Data compiled from the orders issued by the Godavari Maharashtra Irrigation Development
Corporation (GMIDC) during the respective years.

The years 2014, 2015 and 2018 were water deficit years. The MWRRA has given orders for
release of water from upstream side to Jayakwadi reservoir for sharing water stress and
maintaining reliability and equity of water in the upper Godavari sub basin. Accordingly,
Godavari Maharashtra Irrigation Development Corporation (GMIDC) has issued orders and
223.62 Mcum, 369.63 Mcum and 254.50 Mcum of water has been released from upstream
reservoirs in these years 2014, 2015 and 2018 respectively. The years 2019, 2020, 2021 and
2022 are normal years, so there is no need to release water from upstream reservoirs.

9.0 CONCLUSIONS AND WAY FORWARD

As the demand for water is continually increasing due to rapid population growth, rising
urbanization and industrialization in the state of Maharashtra, many sub-basins are getting
closed leading to conflicts between upstream and downstream users and competition among
different categories of uses. Water allocations planned in most dams constructed in the past
has significantly altered due to change in the sub-basin hydrology and unforeseen and
increased water demand for irrigation and non- irrigation uses. Further, climate change is likely
to exacerbate the water availability in the river basins. Sustainable management of water
resources lies in how best communities, voluntary and professional organisations, policy
makers and politicians come together to resolve the conflicts amicably.
The water resources of the state should be planned, developed and managed with a river basin
and sub basin as the unit. Further, the distress in water availability during deficit period should
be shared equitably amongst different sectors of water use and also amongst upstream and
downstream users for maintaining reliability and equity of water supply.
The operating strategy for reservoir operation, decides the specification of how much water is
to be stored and released each time, depending on the situation of the water availability and

12
 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

water demands in the project complex in that period, to attain approximate equitable
distribution of water.
Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) is playing a crucial role for
judicious, equitable and sustainable water management in the State of Maharashtra, India.
Such regulatory authorities must be established in the other states in India and also in the
similar countries.
The case study of Upper Godavari sub-basin presented here is a classic example of water
distress sharing between upstream and downstream projects complex within a sub-basin for
maintaining reliability and equity of water supply. This case study will be useful model for
solving disputes related to equitable distribution of water resources under similar situation
elsewhere.
There should be proper coordination among different line departments, water use sectors,
basins and sub-basins, upstream and downstream stakeholders.
There should be proper system and mechanism for effective implementation of orders given by
the Water Regulatory Authority and Government.
There is need to develop computer based techniques and applications of system engineering
techniques/modeling with the technical assistance of national/ international Institutes or
Consultants for real time integrated operation of reservoirs with the real time data acquisition
system (RTDAS) and flood forecasting model in the Upper Godavari (up to dam) sub-basin.

10. REFERENCES

Alaa Hisham Naguib, Mohamed Hassan Abdel Razik, Mohamed Ali Fergala, Sherien Ali
Elagroudy, 2019, Reliability of Water Distribution Networks, International Journal of
Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT), Vol. 8 Issue 08, August-2019.
Bakshi K.P. and Vinay Kulkarni, 2019, Regulatory approach for sustainable water resource
management in the state of Maharashtra (India), 3rd World Irrigation Forum (WIF3),
1-7 September 2019, Bali, Indonesia.
Demetris Koutsoyiannis, April 2005, Reliability Concepts in Reservoir Design, Water
Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, Surface and Agricultural Water edited by J. H. Lehr and J.
Keeley and published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York.
DMEO 2021 - Water Resources Sector Report, July 2021, Development Monitoring and
Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog, Government of India, New Delhi, India, Pg.11
ESM GOM 2022-23 - Economic Survey of Maharashtra (ESM) 2022-23, Directorate of
Economics and Statistics, Planning Department, Government of Maharashtra
(GOM), Mumbai (M.S), India, (Pg.108)
Godavari Maharashtra Irrigation Development Corporation (GMIDC), 2014, 2015, 2018,
Aurangabad, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai (M.S), India
Government of Maharashtra, 2003, Maharashtra State Water Policy, Water Resources
Department, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai (M.S), India
GSGR GOM 2013 - Government of Maharashtra, 2013, Godavari Study Group Report (GSGR)
on Formulation of Guiding Principles on Integrated Operation of Reservoirs for
Conservation Uses in Upper Godavari (up to Paithan) Sub basin, Water Resources
Department, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai (M.S), India
Gun-Ho Cho, Mirza Junaid Ahmad and Kyung-Sook Choi, 2021, Water Supply Reliability of
Agricultural Reservoirs under Varying Climate and Rice Farming Practices, Water,
MDPI, Basel, Switzerland, 22 October 2021.
ISWP 2018 - Integrated State Water Plan for Maharashtra, Vol. I, II and III, Water Resources
Department, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai (M.S), India
MWIC 1999 - Report of Maharashtra Water and Irrigation Commission- 1999, Government of
Maharashtra, Mumbai (M.S), India
MWRRA 2005 - Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority Act, 2005 (Amendments
2011and 2016), Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai (M.S.), India
MWRRA 2013 - Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) Rules, 2013,
Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai (M.S.), India
MWRRA 2014 - Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority, 2014, Order of Case No.
1 of 2014 in the matter of the Release of Water into the Jayakwadi Reservoir from

13
 25th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage Q.64
01-08 November 2023, Visakhapatnam, India R.64.1.02

Upstream Reservoirs for the Equitable Distribution of Water in the Godavari sub-
basin, MWRRA, Mumbai (M.S.) India
MSWP 2019 - Maharashtra State Water Policy – 2019, Water Resources Department,
Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai (M.S), India.
NWP 2012 - National Water Policy- 2012, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India,
New Delhi, India
Shiang-Jen Wu, Jie-Sen Mai, Yi-Hong Lin and Keh-Chia Yeh, 2022, Modeling Probabilistic-
Based Reliability Analysis for Irrigation Water Supply Due to Uncertainties in
Hydrological and Irrigation Factors, Sustainability, MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. August
2022.
Suresh A. Kulkarni, 2016, Equitable distribution of water in upper Godavari sub basin: A case
study from Maharashtra, 2nd World Irrigation Forum (WIF2),6-8 November 2016,
Chiang Mai, Thailand
WRD 2019 - Water Conservation and Saving in Agriculture (Editor-Dr. Suresh A. Kulkarni)
Water Resources Department (WRD), Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai (M.S.),
India Pg. 79

14