Use of inflow forecasts in operation of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead for flood control

TitleUse of inflow forecasts in operation of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead for flood control
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1950
AuthorsLupton, F. R.
Conference Name18th Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 18th Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1950
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationBoulder City, Nevada
KeywordsReservoir regulation, Water supply forecasting
Abstract

A review of regulations for operating Hoover Dam to meet legal requirements is presented. Economical operation of the dam in conjunction with power and irrigation requirements and maintaining discharge releases to inhibit flooding below the dam are described. Maximum flow downstream from the dam is limited to 40,000 cfs which adds another restriction in releasing large volumes of flood control water. Storage space above the dam also has its control height to guard against use of spillways, thus a loss of power. Inflow volumes to the reservoir are forecast for each month January through July. The forecast scheme is designed for temperature and evaporation factors. Various months use different weighting of factors to meet the conditions. Accuracy is high in the first few months but improves considerably in the later months. Tables and graphs illustrate procedure explained in the text.Discussion by Gerald B. Levin.