BACKGROUND.
The Columbia River Basin spans six U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Many parties are involved in the operation of the
Columbia River System.
Corps reservoirs are operated for flood control, power generation, navigation, recreation, irrigation, water supply, and water
quality. Special public interests and requirements are addressed and accommodated to the extent feasible.
OPERATIONAL PLANNING. The Operational Planning Unit
in the Power Branch, Water Management Division, is tasked with determining the
power impacts of regional plans affecting river system operation. It also
assists in powerhouse rehabilitation and/or upgrade studies.
Several operating plans are
developed annually, using sophisticated computer models and based on runoff conditions,
operating criteria, and power loads. Constantly refined
procedures are used to address the complex, inter-related
issues facing integrated river basin water management.
The Dalles Dam on the Columbia River
