Integrated Approach using AHP and TOPSIS for Dam Site Selection

Abstract

Dam site selection is an important task in water resource management and it depends on a number of biophysical as well as socio-economic factors. Dam site selection is becoming important research area due to the increase of water scarcity and also to prevent flood in certain area. This paper presents Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach in water resources management through the integration of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). These methods were applied for identification of suitable dam site in Tlawng sub-basin. The influential criteria for dam site selection were initially identified through literature review and experts opinion which was followed by the selection of four (4) feasible sites after having studied Tlawng watershed. Lastly, AHP and TOPSIS were applied to determine the relative weight and rank respectively.