FIRO is a flexible water management approach that uses data from watershed monitoring and improved weather forecasting to help water managers selectively retain or release water from reservoirs for increased resilience to droughts and floods. FIRO applies emerging science and technology to optimize water resources and adapt to climate change without costly infrastructure. The goal of FIRO at Lake Mendocino is to update the 1950s-era Water Control Manual by applying forecasting advancements to increase water supply reliability without reducing - and while possibly enhancing - the existing flood protection capacity of Lake Mendocino and downstream flows for fish habitat.

Visit the Department of Water Resources FIRO page: https://water.ca.gov/News/Blog/2023/Jan-23/Californias-Forecast-Informed-Reservoir-Operations-Are-Key-to-Managing-Floods-and-Water-Supplies

Visit the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes FIRO page: https://cw3e.ucsd.edu/firo/

Visit Sonoma Water for more information on FIRO at Lake Menodcino: https://www.sonomawater.org/firo

Aticles of interest:

• Water News Network: New California Law Taps Science to Improve Water Management, 9/6/23
• NACo - Atmospheric rivers offer opportunity for Sonoma County reservoirs, 3/27/23
• Yale Environment 360 - How Weather Forecasts Can Help Dams Supply More Water
• Northern CA Water Association - Adapting to California’s “Weather Whiplash” with Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations, 11/22/22
• Eos: Weather and Watershed Forecasting Make for Dam Smart Water Use, 12/13/23