The Lower Colorado Dams Network consists of five major dams that are used in the production of electricity, agricultural irrigation, fresh water plumbing for households and industrial use alongside other activities. Belonging to the dams sector under the critical infrastructure, therefore, the network is important since it not only serves over 40 million people across four states but also serves other critical infrastructure sectors such as Communications, Energy, Food and Agriculture, and Water sectors. As such, it is necessary that resources are allocated towards these assets to ensure a continuous flow of water (DHS, 2019; USGS, 2019).

Resource Allocation: $30 Million

The 5 Dams and the River are the most critical assets of the network; hence most of the resources should be allocated to their protection and resilience. The Dams would receive an allocation of $8 million for dredging, repairs, and securities. Sedimentation reduces a dam’s efficiency and water holding capacity; thus dredging, and dike repairs must be carried out regularly. On the other hand, maintaining the river’s viability is equally essential. $ 6.5 million is used to maintain the integrity of the river such as checking its chemical composition to non-toxic levels, while at the same time setting to counter the drought that is affecting the amount of the river water. For instance, a significant portion is to be awarded to groups responsible for watching the integrity of the river, while another goes to similar groups responsible with the reclamation and reforestation around water catchment areas to help increase the amount of rain falling in these areas expanding the river’s volume.

Links such as roads and rails receive $3.5 million, which help maintain their usability subsequently ensuring that workers have consistent access to the dams since they are critical to the operations of the network. If these roads become impassable due to weather conditions, the dams’ network would be thrown into jeopardy. An emergency communication system is also important, and under this resource allocation, it will receive $5 million, whereas training personnel on how to handle emergencies will receive $4 million to increase resiliency (Setola, Luiijf, & Theocharidou, 2016). Emergency handling funds $3 million are set in advance to avoid the procedure of obtaining funds once an emergency happens.

Hierarchical Allocation

This Resource allocation model allocates resources based on the position of an item on the network; hence issues directly related to the river and dams will receive more funds.

Model Strengths

This allocation model takes into consideration the need to have continuity of the dams’ network operations. A halt to any of the dam’s operation would have significant adverse impacts given a large number of people and sectors it serves. On the other hand, the model sets asides a contingency plan, which strategically allocates funds for handling emergencies given the tedious nature of going through paperwork when looking for funds. Additionally, it helps ensure the dams resilience by having an emergency plan and training of personnel on how to operate during emergencies.

Weaknesses

The model pays more attention to assets overlooking specific links and sector components that would help increase protection and resiliency. For instance, it ignores the need for an effective emergency system and dam personnel, over the river and dams network integrity.

Modifications

Whereas this model may overlook several essential components, and allocate resources based on the position of an asset link or network component within the lower Colorado dams’ network, the model does not need modification. This is because the hierarchical allocation ensures that the most critical parts of the system are covered first before considering other areas.

References

DHS. (2019). Dams Sector. Retrieved from Homeland Security: https://www.dhs.gov/cisa/dams-sector

Setola, R., Luiijf, E., & Theocharidou, M. (2016). Critical Infrastructures, Protection and Resilience. In R. Setola, V. Rosato, E. Kyriakides, & E. Rome, Managing the Complexity of Critical Infrastructures (pp. 1-18). New York: Springer.

USGS. (2019, March 8). A Journey Through the Major Dams on the Lower Colorado River. Retrieved from United States Geological Survey: https://txpub.usgs.gov/DSS/StoryMaps/BlueDragon/