Optimizing Public Management of Urban Water Levels: A Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation of Stakeholder Satisfaction in Lake Ontario

Department of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China

^* Corresponding author’s email: 8210211826@csu.edu.cn
^# These authors contributed equally to this work.

Abstract

Water level management in urban water bodies involves balancing ecological conservation with economic activities. Effective management strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of water level fluctuations have been identified as a key task by decision-makers. This study focuses on Lake Ontario, aiming to provide decision support through the construction of a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model that incorporates the needs and satisfaction of various stakeholders, including shipping companies, residents, and environmental organizations. The evaluation model was applied to assess actual water levels and a simulated control scenario in 2017, yielding the following conclusions: the water level control strategy was effective, with a marked increase in stakeholder satisfaction in most months and a significant reduction in dissatisfaction levels. This research breaks through the limitations of traditional water level management evaluation methods by transforming complex and ambiguous stakeholder demands into specific, actionable evaluation indicators. Managers can use the comprehensive monthly data evaluations to assess the effectiveness of control strategies and make targeted adjustments. This provides a new perspective for managing Lake Ontario and other similar urban water bodies.