Abstract: A method of producing quantitative criteria for optimizing river water rerces under variable flow conditions is described. The method includes calculating a bivariate frequency distribution from data representing flow conditions of a target reach of river, calculating a bivariate frequency distribution from data representing flow conditions of a standard reach of river, and comparing the target frequency distribution with the standard frequency distribution, thereby to assess the degree of similarity between the target flow conditions and the standard flow conditions. The similarity coefficients serve as the criteria by which water resource decisions are made. Ecosystem level impacts are defensibly assessed while optimizing water resource allocation.

Abstract: A touch pad machine control system uses a touch pad having an overlay to define control strip surface areas which perform different functions. The contact of an operator's finger along one of the defined control strips selects a desired function and produces the desired machine motion from the rate, distance or duration of finger contact according to the desired function. The result is equivalent control motion without the need for moving parts.