This month, we're spreading the word about international hydropower needs and challenges, sharing a HydroForecast case study from recent extreme flooding, and reflecting on what the low snow year means for spring runoff and ongoing drought. Here's a look at what's new for May:
- 💡 Insights on low snowpack in the Western U.S.
- 🌍 Upstream Tech joins the International Hydropower Association
- 🗞️ In the news: Managing floods in the Pacific Northwest
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The latest news
Seasonal snow reflections and looking ahead
After an unusual snow year, we looked at what the low snowpack means in different regions as operators navigate uncertain spring runoff. While the Pacific Northwest shows a solid snowpack, elevation-based variation presents complex water management challenges.
Our team is collaborating with customers to optimize HydroForecast for these unique hydrologic conditions. Denver Water's Taylor Winchell noted in a recent roundtable discussion that "streamflow forecasts are essential for planning and understanding snowpack dynamics, soil moisture, and precipitation."
Drought is also expanding in the Southeast, where rainfall variability hits faster due to a lack of snowpack buffer. Seasonal models excel at capturing these dry spells, helping managers allocate resources more effectively before drought impacts peak. Read more
International growth continues: Upstream Tech joins the International Hydropower Association (IHA)
IHA recently welcomed Upstream Tech to the community focused on sustainable hydropower generation. With forecasts in over 18 countries, each deployment is tailored to the specific characteristics of each basin, market, and offers its dashboard in multiple languages to support international operators.
"Sustainable hydropower is about operating existing assets intelligently. Better inflow forecasting reduces spills, improves efficiency, and helps operators manage safety, flood, and trading risks." — Matt Elgin, European Lead & Senior Account Executive, Upstream Tech
In the news: Low snowpack in Europe and the "renewable paradox"
One of the biggest challenges in the energy transition is the "renewable paradox," where extreme weather increases volatility of clean energy technologies, including flexible hydropower. Alex Truby from the HydroForecast team recently told Euronews that the low snowpack in Norway highlights this shift, as European hydropower becomes more variable due to precipitation patterns shifting to rain instead of snow.
This has left Norway, Europe's "biggest battery," with its lowest snow reserves in two decades, creating an energy deficit large enough to power 2.5 million homes for a year. To adapt, the article points to: "Better seasonal and short-term forecasts, increased storage capacity, and grid improvements for moving renewable energy across regions." Read the article
In the news: Managing floods in the Pacific Northwest
We recently spoke with International Water Power about how HydroForecast helped dam operators balance flood risk and reservoir operations during December 2025's unprecedented atmospheric river events.
"HydroForecast flagged elevated inflow risk ten days before the first peaks, well before most public forecasts showed anything unusual," explains Alden Keefe Sampson, Chief Technology Officer at Upstream Tech. The model detected landscape priming from preceding drought conditions combined with accelerating runoff once soil saturation was reached. Read the article
To connect with our team, check out our full list of upcoming events, or reach out to us below to learn more about HydroForecast.
Cheers,The HydroForecast Team
