Okay, so I'm supposed to be impressed that some fancy algorithm is now running Lake Mendocino. Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO). Sounds important, right? Like they're finally using, you know, science instead of just guessing when to open the floodgates.
The Miracle of "More Water"
Here's the official line: this FIRO thing let them store an extra 11,650 acre-feet of water back in 2020. And over the last three years, almost 30,000 acre-feet saved. Saved! Like it was just lying around waiting for someone to find it.
Lynda Hopkins, Sonoma Water Board Chair, even said it's like having a second Lake Mendocino without building anything. Give me a break. Are we really supposed to believe that this digital currency...wait, no, sorry, wrong FIRO. This water FIRO is some kind of miracle cure?
It all hinges on "atmospheric rivers." Giant weather systems that dump biblical amounts of rain. Apparently, we're now good at predicting these things, thanks to CW3E's Atmospheric River Reconnaissance Program. Which, let's be real, sounds like something out of a bad sci-fi movie. Hurricane Hunters and drifting buoys? What is this, Waterworld?
And all that data, all those fancy forecasts...it just lets them maybe hold back a little more water when they think it's safe. That's it? That's the revolution?
Who's Really Benefiting?
Jared Huffman, U.S. Representative, is "thrilled" about drought management, flood control, and fish habitat. Karla Nemeth, DWR Director, is all about "protecting communities from flooding and saving water for droughts."
I'm sure they are.
But who actually benefits here? Is it the 650,000 people in Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin counties who rely on Lake Mendocino for drinking water? Or is it... wait for it... drumroll... the same goddamn government agencies who get to pat themselves on the back for "innovative solutions"?
And let's not forget the Corps of Engineers, who built Coyote Valley Dam back in 1959. They've updated the water control manual a couple of times since then, but this FIRO thing is the "biggest" change in 66 years. Translation: they're trying to justify their existence. Again.
I mean, seriously, the water control manual was updated in 1986 for a hydroelectric plant installation and again in 2011 for minimum flow capacity for aquatic habitats. Before that, nothing since '59? Are you kidding me? It's like saying your car hasn't had an oil change since the Eisenhower administration.
What happens when those atmospheric rivers aren't so predictable? What happens when the models are wrong? Do we just shrug and say, "Oops, sorry about the flooding," while the politicians give each other awards?
Offcourse, maybe I'm being too cynical. Maybe this is a genuine step forward. Maybe I should just trust the experts and their fancy algorithms. Maybe...nah.
