Across regions and seasons, water conditions are increasingly difficult to anticipate from historical patterns alone. That makes visibility further ahead especially valuable for teams planning around water availability, extreme events, and changing operating conditions.
This month, we're looking at what the developing El Niño could mean for regional water planning, how new data is helping advance river forecasting, and where you can find the HydroForecast team this month.
Insights and updates from HydroForecast
El Niño is strengthening. What does that mean for water planning?
The effects of El Niño are already emerging, but they won't look the same everywhere. Some regions may be facing a wetter, stormier winter with elevated flood and spill risk, while others could see warmer, drier conditions, lighter snowpack, and increased generation risk.
With NOAA's recent outlook of a historic-strength El Niño this fall, understanding the range of possible conditions matters for planning beyond the next storm or operating cycle. Seasonal forecasts can give teams additional visibility into how water availability may evolve over the months ahead.
NASA highlights HydroForecast and Tacoma Power
NASA recently featured HydroForecast in an article about how Earth observation data is helping improve river forecasts as the effects of the 2026 snow drought continue across the West. The article highlights Tacoma Power's use of HydroForecast on the Cowlitz River and explores how satellite data on snow cover and vegetation conditions is incorporated into river-flow forecasts.
It's a useful look at how new data sources and machine learning are coming together to support hydropower and water management in a challenging water year.
Clean Currents: Meet us in Phoenix
Clean Currents is coming up September 22–24 in Phoenix, and we're looking forward to connecting with hydropower and water leaders from across the industry.
- You can find the HydroForecast team at booth #1507 to talk about streamflow forecasting, seasonal planning, and how better visibility into future water conditions can support operational decision-making.
- We're also joining PNNL for an Innovation Powerhouse activity, where participants can put forecasting to the test against real-world hydropower challenges.
If you'll be at Clean Currents, stop by and say hello. We'd be glad to talk through what you're working on and show you how HydroForecast fits into the picture.
How Sonoma Water planned through a month of atmospheric rivers
When a series of atmospheric rivers brought prolonged heavy rainfall to Northern California, Sonoma Water used HydroForecast to maintain visibility into changing conditions and support operational decision-making. See how the team used forecasts before, during, and after the events.
Better visibility for compliance planning
Environmental flow and other compliance requirements don't always line up with where monitoring data is available. Our latest article explores how streamflow forecasting can provide additional visibility at ungauged locations and support planning when conditions change.
Explore forecasting for compliance →
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Cheers,
The HydroForecast Team
