@article{fdi:010064119,
  title = {{S}imulating past changes in the balance between water demand and availability and assessing their main drivers at the river basin scale},
  author = {{F}abre, {J}. and {R}uelland, {D}. and {D}ezetter, {A}lain and {G}rouillet, {B}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{I}n this study we present an integrative modeling framework aimed at assessing the balance between water demand and availability and its spatial and temporal variability over long time periods. {T}he model was developed and tested over the period 1971-2009 in the {H}{\'e}rault (2500 km(2), {F}rance) and the {E}bro (85 000 km(2), {S}pain) catchments. {N}atural streamflow was simulated using a conceptual hydrological model. {T}he regulation of river flow was accounted for through a widely applicable demand-driven reservoir management model applied to the largest dam in the {H},rault {B}asin and to 11 major dams in the {E}bro {B}asin. {U}rban water demand was estimated from population and monthly unit water demand data. {W}ater demand for irrigation was computed from irrigated area, crop and soil data, and climatic forcing. {W}ater shortage was assessed at a 10-day time step by comparing water demand and availability through indicators calculated at strategic resource and demand nodes. {T}he outcome of this study is twofold. {F}irst, we were able to correctly simulate variations in influenced streamflow, reservoir levels and water shortage between 1971 and 2009 in both basins, taking into account climatic and anthropogenic pressures and changes in water management strategies over time. {S}econd, we provided information not available through simple data analysis on the influence of withdrawals and consumptive use on streamflow and on the drivers of imbalance between demand and availability. {O}bserved past variations in discharge were explained by separating anthropogenic and climatic pressures in our simulations: 3% (20%) of the decrease in the {H},rault ({E}bro) discharge were linked to anthropogenic changes. {A}lthough key areas of the {H},rault {B}asin were shown to be highly sensitive to hydro-climatic variability, the balance between water demand and availability in the {E}bro {B}asin appears to be more critical, owing to high agricultural pressure on water resources. {T}he modeling framework developed and tested in this study will be used to assess water balance under climatic and socioeconomic prospective scenarios and to investigate the effectiveness of adaptation policies aimed at maintaining the balance between water demand and availability.},
  keywords = {{FRANCE} ; {ESPAGNE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{H}ydrology and {E}arth {S}ystem {S}ciences},
  volume = {19},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {1263--1285},
  ISSN = {1027-5606},
  year = {2015},
  DOI = {10.5194/hess-19-1263-2015},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010064119},
}