California could unlock $100M-$200M in annual water value by using better forecasts at 20 reservoirs

Representative Image (AI-generated) California’s water problem is often framed around the need for more storage, new infrastructure and expensive construction. But a new study suggests that part of the answer may already be sitting behind the state’s existing dams. By using better weather and water forecasts to decide when reservoirs should release or retain water, California could potentially make substantially more water available each year without constructing another reservoir. The research, published in Environmental Research: Water, estimates that Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) could increase water availability by about 315,000 acre-feet annually, equivalent to more than 100 billion gallons. The researchers estimate that the additional agricultural and urban water supply could generate about $145 million a year in direct economic benefits, with the broader estimated range reaching roughly $100 million to $200 million annually. The primary study was led by researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and other institutions.Making existing reservoirs work harderThe basic idea behind FIRO is relatively straightforward. Reservoir operators t...