Evaluating water management strategies with the Systems Impact Assessment Model: SIAM Version 4 (Revised October 2005)

Product Type: Open-file Report

Year: 2005

Author(s): Bartholow, J., J. Heasley, B. Hanna, J. Sandelin, M. Flug, S. Campbell, J. Henriksen, and A. Douglas

Pages: 122

Suggested Citation: Bartholow, J., J. Heasley, B. Hanna, J. Sandelin, M. Flug, S. Campbell, J. Henriksen, and A. Douglas. 2005. Evaluating water management strategies with the Systems Impact Assessment Model: SIAM Version 4 (Revised October 2005): U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center Open-File Report 03-82 [Revised]. 122 p.

Abstract

This document serves as an introduction to SIAM, a System Impact Assessment Model for riverine ecosystems. SIAM is an integrated set of models used to address significant interrelationships among selected physical (temperature, microhabitat, and geomorphic features), chemical (dissolved oxygen) and biological variables (young-of-year salmonid production), and stream flow in a river. SIAM has been developed for the Kalmath River from Klamath Falls, Oregon, to the river’s mouth on the California coast using data and models selected to be appropriate for the riverine portion of that study area. SIAM is only as good as the data, models, and its users allow it to be. This document highlights the important assumptions and limitation of these data and models so that use may be enlightened as well as productive. We have tried to assure the quality of the data and models integral to SIAM for the Kalmath River; however, we stress that common sense may not be left behind in applying SIAM for any specific analysis. Users must be vigilant in making sure that the results logically follow from the premises. A warranty is neither stated nor implied…