The Use of a Flow Forecasting System to Support Decision Making of Publicly-Owned Dams in Quebec

HR: 16:15h
AN: H34B-02 [Abstracts]
TI: The Use of a Flow Forecasting System to Support Decision Making of Publicly-Owned Dams in Quebec
AU: * Turcotte, R
EM: richard.turcotte2@menv.gouv.qc.ca
AF: Centre d'expertise hydrique du Qu‚bec, 675, boul. Ren‚-L‚vesque Est Aile Ren‚-L‚vesque, RC, boite 20, Qu‚bec, QB G1R 5V7 Canada
AU: Latraverse, M
EM: Latraverse.Marco@hydro.qc.ca
AF: Hydro-Qu‚bec, Hydro-Qu‚bec,75, boul. Ren‚-L‚vesque Ouest, 9iŠme ‚tage, Montr‚al, QB H2Z 1A4 Canada
AU: Villeneuve, J
EM: jpv@inrs-ete.uquebec.ca
AF: Institut nationa; de la recherche scientifique, Universit‚ du Qu‚bec, CP 7500 , Sainte-Foy, QB G1V 4C7 Canada
AB: The Centre d'expertise hydrique du Quebec is responsible for the management of publicly-owned dams located mainly in southern Quebec. These dams are used for multiple objectives like flood control, water supply, tourist and recreational activities, and hydroelectricity. Such opposite objectives implies that dam operations in critical situations must be supported by scientifically sounded information in order to provide rational beyond these operations to the stakeholders. Scientifically sounded information can also increase the acceptability of operations that have some negative impacts by demonstrating that these operations help to avoid even more negative impacts. The presentation will provide a brief description of a flow forecasting system developed to support decision making. Some examples of its use in the management of the dams on lakes Kenogami and Saint-Francois will be presented. Specifically, the examples will examine the winter low flows of 2002, which followed an exceptionally dry period, and there effect on water supply and hydroelectricity. In this case, modelling yielded information on future inflows and eased the communication with stakeholders in a situation where historical observed data were useless given the exceptional hydrological conditions.
DE: 1836 Hydrologic budget (1655)
DE: 1857 Reservoirs (surface)
DE: 1884 Water supply
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting