The Power Team is the main functional element dealing with hydropower operational planning for Corps reservoirs in the Columbia River Basin. We develop annual hydropower operating plans for the Corps of Engineers, Canadian Treaty projects, and other Columbia River projects as required by the Columbia River Treaty and the Pacific Northwest Coordination Agreement. Short and long-range operational studies are performed using the Hydro System Seasonal Regulation (HYSSR) model to simulate various runoff and operating conditions.
Constantly refined procedures are used to address the complex, inter-related issues involving system operations for endangered and listed species, power generation, flood control, navigation, recreation, irrigation, water supply, and water quality. The Power Planning Team participates in the formulation of regional plans to recover anadromous Snake River salmon, Kootenai River white sturgeon, resident fish and other listed species. As such, it routinely performs model studies to evaluate the hydropower impacts of specific operational measures identified in the Biological Opinion.