Forecasting Procedures Advance Effective Water Routings on the U. S. Columbia River Hydroelectric System

This paper describes the development and application of dependable stream-flow forecasting procedures for more effective scheduling and routing of the water resources available to the U. S. Columbia River Power System. The established procedures which are facilitated by the use of a general-purpose digital computer constitute an important step toward obtaining maximum utilization of the water resources for power production. The computer speeds the forecast calculations and permits quicker development of water routings for current system operations. Management is thereby given assurance to permit the sale of additional secondary power with adequate protection that subsequent system firmpower requirements will be fully met.