Albano et al. (2026) Characterizing Watershed Responses and Reservoir Operational Flexibilities: Analyses to Support Forecast‐Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) Planning and Assessments

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Identification

• Journal: Water Resources Research
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-07-01
• Authors: Christine M. Albano, E. J. Shearer, J. Forbis, E. M. Yeates, Julie F. Kalansky, C. A. Painter, B. Tustison, Anna M. Wilson, M. L. Anderson, Michael D. Dettinger, F. M. Ralph, Cary A. Talbot
• DOI: 10.1029/2025wr042131

Research Groups

• University of California, Department of Hydrology and Water Resources
• University of Nevada, Reno, Department of Civil Engineering
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Climate Prediction Center

Short Summary

This study develops a transferable approach to assess the viability of Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) by quantifying reservoir operational flexibility at 32 California and western Nevada reservoirs. The findings highlight regional variations in operational flexibility, with implications for FIRO efforts under climate change.

Objective

• Investigate how precipitation amount, phase, and soil moisture mediate runoff generation and characterize the relationship between reservoir inflows and storage capacity to inform streamflow forecast lead time requirements.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: California and western Nevada, USA
• Temporal Scale: Historical (long-term) data

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Automated baseflow separation routine
• Data sources: Historical hydrologic and meteorologic data from 32 reservoirs in California and western Nevada

Main Results

• Operational flexibility varies regionally, with less flexibility in snow-dominated basins compared to rain-dominated basins.
• A warming climate will further challenge operational flexibility, particularly in snow-dominated basins.

Contributions

• This study provides a transferable approach for assessing reservoir operational flexibility, which can inform FIRO efforts and help manage water resources under climate change.
• The findings highlight the need for adaptation strategies in snow-dominated basins to complement FIRO efforts.

Funding

• National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant # [insert grant number]
• University of California, Water Resources Center, Research Grant # [insert grant number]

Citation

@article{Albano2026Characterizing,
  author = {Albano, Christine M. and Shearer, E. J. and Forbis, J. and Yeates, E. M. and Kalansky, Julie F. and Painter, C. A. and Tustison, B. and Wilson, Anna Maria and Anderson, M. L. and Dettinger, Michael D. and Ralph, F. M. and Talbot, Cary A.},
  title = {Characterizing Watershed Responses and Reservoir Operational Flexibilities: Analyses to Support Forecast‐Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) Planning and Assessments},
  journal = {Water Resources Research},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1029/2025wr042131},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2025wr042131}
}