DEP Partners with Renowned SCRIPPS Institution of Oceangraphy to Improve Resevoir Management Strategies at Largest Municipal Water Supply in Nation

September 4, 2024

Advancements in Weather Forecasting Can Improve Operations of the City's Upstate Reservoirs to Deliver the Best Water Quality Possible and Enhance Downstream Flood Protections

Study of "Atmospheric Rivers" to be Integrated with Reservoir Operations

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced a new partnership with the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) that will bring advanced extreme weather and water forecasting capabilities to the nation's largest municipal water supply system. CW3E is embedded at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, which is one of the most important centers for global earth science research and education in the world. With CW3E's research and assistance, DEP can enhance operations in real-time across the New York City Water Supply's 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes in the Catskills and Hudson Valley.

CW3E is a pioneer in the study and forecasting of extreme precipitation, including "atmospheric rivers" - streams of water vapor in the atmosphere that can deliver massive amounts of precipitation. The science of forecasting atmospheric rivers by CW3E has advanced in recent years, particularly in understanding the origin and evolution of these storms, their role in extreme precipitation across the U.S. and across the world, and their predictability by numerical weather models. This research is enabling more precise advanced forecasting of extreme storm events and can enhance reservoir operations and improve the reservoirs' inherent ability in reducing downstream flooding.

DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala said, "Climate change is bringing increased intervals of extreme weather events and changing weather patterns. By integrating newly advanced precision forecasting, DEP can improve operations while simultaneously providing enhanced benefits to stakeholders throughout the City's watershed region. DEP is doubling down on its commitment to applying the best available science to most efficiently and safely operate the largest municipal water supply system in the nation while continuing to provide the highest quality water possible."

CW3E Director Marty Ralph said, "It is an honor to begin supporting DEP in its vital mission of managing New York City's water supply. We will apply the lessons we have learned over the last decade supporting western U.S. water management. Many of our key tools and methods will be readily applied to NYC Water's needs, others will require refinement and extension, and new innovations will be developed tailored to this important region."

DEP's $4.8 million 3-year contract with CW3E started in July 2024. Through this partnership, CW3E is cataloguing atmospheric rivers and extreme precipitation events in the Northeast U.S., developing decision-making tools for water supply operations, and supporting reservoir management for use during major capital projects, including the upcoming Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project's final phase starting Oct. 1.

CW3E is a leader in supporting Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) in California, where it uses advanced research and forecasting of atmospheric rivers and extreme storms to both increase water supply benefits and decrease flood risks downstream of dual-purpose reservoirs in that region. In pilot studies, CW3E's research showed that improved forecasts of atmospheric rivers increased water storage by nearly 20 percent at Lake Mendocino in Northern California and at the Prado Dam in Southern California.

CW3E developed the FIRO program in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers. FIRO has helped enhance, demonstrate, and implement tools and science that enable more effective management of reservoirs by leveraging improvements in weather and water forecasts. CW3E will leverage their experience in FIRO to support DEP and its current use of FIRO principals using DEP's systemwide Operations Support Tool (OST) software. CW3E's research and capacity will help to improve OST and the City's Water Supply System operations with earlier and more precise extreme storm event forecasting.

About the Department of Environmental Protection

DEP manages New York City's water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.8 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $29 billion in investments over the next 10 years. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.