Overview

FIRO is an innovative approach that uses modern weather forecasting technology and enhanced monitoring to selectively retain or release water from reservoirs in anticipation of future conditions. FIRO leverages improved forecasts of atmospheric rivers, which are responsible for nearly half of all water supply and over 95% of all flood damages in California. FIRO is being explored at Seven Oaks Dam to maximize groundwater recharge and downstream habitat while ensuring flood risk management objectives are met or exceeded. The FIRO study will evaluate strategically managing releases from the dam in concert with downstream channel modifications to restore alluvial fan habitat for endangered species. 

Seven Oaks FIRO

The local Seven Oaks Dam was originally constructed for flood risk management but is not authorized to capture water specifically for groundwater recharge. Although the existing operation of the dam provides some incidental water conservation benefits, it is possible to safely conserve more water through improved forecasting techniques.

The Seven Oaks FIRO Steering Committee is currently overseeing studies evaluating how FIRO can:

• Optimize dam operations
• Improve water conservation
• Maintain required flood safety expectations
• Support downstream habitats

In studies being conducted at the dam, FIRO is being explored as an option to help maximize groundwater recharge and downstream habitats while ensuring flood risk requirements are still being met. One FIRO study is evaluating how strategically managing releases from the dam combined with downstream channel modifications could help restore alluvial fan habitat for endangered species.

Atmospheric Rivers

FIRO is further being utilized to assess if forecasts of atmospheric rivers (AR) can be used to inform flexible reservoir operations at the Dam. Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow bands of concentrated water that can produce massive amounts of rain or snow when they make landfall. In the winter of 2022-2023, 17 atmospheric rivers affected California and produced most of the snow at Big Bear and over 14 inches of rain in the Santa Ana Basin. Accurately predicting the location, duration and runoff volume anticipated from atmospheric rivers is foundational to FIRO.

FIRO at Seven Oaks Dam is a collaborative research and operations partnership consisting of an interdisciplinary team of scientists, water managers, dam operators, and environmental experts. Water management needs inform the research required to optimize operations of the dam and results of this research are used for improving water conservation, managing flood risk, and improving downstream habitat.

Challenges

San Bernardino Valley is responsible for the storage and distribution of a reliable water supply. Dams and reservoirs are used to mitigate flood events, generate clean hydropower, and ensure water availability in dry seasons. As the region faces increasing demands for water supply due to droughts, growing populations, and water scarcity, ensuring there is a dependable water supply for generations to come has become increasingly important.

Increases in climate variability and projected climate change are further challenging the assumptions used to design and operate existing dams and reservoirs. More frequent and severe floods and droughts are likely and adapting to this new paradigm of climatic uncertainty and extremes will require new approaches to water management, including more efficient operation of our existing dams and reservoirs.

FIRO represents a modern approach to reservoir management by using improved science, forecasting, and collaboration to better manage the water supply, reduce flood risk, and protect downstream ecosystems.

For more information on FIRO, visit the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes or email Greg Woodside at GregW@SBVMWD.com.