Observations in Support of Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations Objectives Summary of Accomplishments to Date
Abstract
Observations are a key component of Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations, which requires enhanced monitoring to meet the fundamental FIRO objective to better inform decisions to retain or release water by integrating flexibility in reservoir operation policies and rules. Each reservoir considering implementing FIRO has different operating constraints and management priorities, and it is critical that the observational networks be assessed and built upon with these in mind. Observations networks in FIRO watersheds also benefit from the foundational statewide network that has been in place for decades, and in many cases additional observational capacity has been put in place through other resource management or hazard response programs. Accomplishments in implementing FIRO observation networks thus far include installation of 11 soil moisture stations with real time communications; 5 radar and disdrometer stations with real time communications; multiple stream and precipitation gauges; and several years of storm-based sampling with radiosondes and ISCO automated water samplers. Observations from these instruments have been used in forecast improvement and decision support efforts and to improve understanding of physical processes (e.g., defining runoff thresholds). There are significant co-benefits to the enhanced monitoring provided by FIRO, and the additional stations have presented numerous collaborative opportunities. These collaborative opportunities include interactions with community members, other agencies, educational institutions, and more. This presentation will provide a brief overview of observations added through FIRO for each location implementing FIRO or assessing FIRO viability (Russian, Santa Ana, Yuba, and Feather) thus far, a discussion of how the observations were planned and how they were assessed to assure their capacity to meet FIRO goals, and implications for FIRO transferability.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021AGUFM.H42F..03W