Cooperation under conflict: participatory hydrological modeling for science policy dialogues for the Aculeo Lake

Abstract. Hydrological modeling tools can support collaborative decision processes by visually displaying hydrological systems connections, uncertainties, as well conflicting preferences over water management strategies. Nevertheless, many challenges remain in the real application of these technical to successfully implement, capture, and communicate with non-experts complexities coupled human systems. A 5-step process shows how a WEAP-based study aiming explore disappearance 12 km2 lake Aculeo basin Chile was transformed into multiple question-driven sociohydrological help answer diversity questions instigating conflict. Collaboration allowed construction surface–groundwater model that responded local stakeholders' uncertainties. While testing subset socially accepted strategies under two climate change scenarios, combining allows recovering up half volume. However, participatory also increasing social–environmental conflicts causes effects scarcity are challenging barriers overcome tools. As presented this article, although flexible approaches research agendas could better exploration synergies towards collaboration production useful acceptable models, there still value-driven aspects need be explored science policy dialogues.