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Comprehensive technologies and decision-making: Reflections on the instream flow incremental methodology

January 1, 1989

The controversy surrounding the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology is briefly discussed. A 1968 article by James Schlesinger on the likely success of systems analysis in aiding decision-makers is used to illustrate some pitfalls involving comprehensive technologies. The lessons of systems analysis are drawn together with the literature on instream flow methods to illustrate that there is no one best way to perform an instream flow analysis. It is argued that technology should be employed only with an extensive knowledge of assumptions and purposes.

Publication Year 1989
Title Comprehensive technologies and decision-making: Reflections on the instream flow incremental methodology
DOI 10.1577/1548-8446(1989)014<0012:CTADRO>2.0.CO;2
Authors Berton Lee Lamb
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Fisheries
Index ID 70123173
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse