Water Governance Tools: The Role of Science and Decision Support Systems in Participatory Management

TLDR: A review of the evolution of decision support systems for water resources planning and management through today demonstrates that stakeholder participation through science-fed collaborative planning processes is an essential factor for integrative science to be perceived as credible, relevant, transparent, and thus acceptable in the public eye to inform and guide decision making as mentioned in this paper.

Abstract: Participatory water resources management and planning have become a main feature of water governance processes. A review of the evolution of decision support systems for water resources planning and management through today demonstrates that stakeholder participation through science-fed collaborative planning processes is an essential factor for integrative science to be perceived as credible, relevant, transparent, and thus acceptable in the public eye to inform and guide decision making. Two case studies from the American Southwest—the Rio Grande in New Mexico and the San Pedro in Arizona—illustrate how a strong scientific contribution that includes an integrated modeling approach can form the foundation for participatory planning processes and the collaborative development of decision support tools. Based on conflict resolution concepts, this approach will not only lead to agreed-upon management solutions, but also to a well informed and educated stakeholder community in the basin, ensuring a sustainable and resilient water governance system.