On October 8, the WSWC sent a letter congratulating the Army Corps of Engineers and Sonoma Water on the successful completion of a pilot project, integrating Forecast-Information Reservoir Operations (FIRO) into an updated Water Control Manual for Coyote Valley Dam and Lake Mendocino. Th letter highlighted the significance of the achievement, the collaboration it required, and its contribution to the broader momentum of FIRO application. “The FIRO effort is growing exponentially from its initial implementation at Lake Mendocino. Subsequent FIRO pilot projects are underway in California and Washington; a FIRO viability assessment is in planning for Oregon dams. USACE recently completed its initial stage of a nationwide screening process for USACE-owned and regulated (Section 7) dams, including an assessment of nationwide precipitation forecasting skill needed for FIRO implementation. The Water Resources Development Act of 2024 has directed USACE to incorporate use of FIRO in its WCM updates. The WSWC looks forward to encouraging use of FIRO in member states where feasible, to foster improved water supply resiliency and flood risk reduction, recognizing that lack of precipitation forecasting skill is presently a limiting factor in many of our states.” Read the full letter below.
Western States Water Council
A Voice for Water in the West