NID’s Plan for Water Continues with Hydrology and Hydrography.

NID’s Plan for Water process resumes on Tuesday, Feb. 21. As the Plan for Water takes on Stages 7-9, taking a fluid approach to the matrix, this meeting will focus primarily on Hydrology and Hydrography – the Reservoir Operations Model (ResSim Model). The workshop will start at 3:30 p.m. at NID’s main office and also via Zoom. 

STAGE 7: HYDROLOGY AND HYDROGRAPHY 

This stage will seek to determine design assumptions, principles, and standards of data-driven modeling as it relates to the hydrology and hydrography of NID’s water systems while reconfirming previous efforts of FERC re-licensing models and determining appropriate climate and drought scenario analysis. 

STAGE 8: DEMAND 

This stage will seek to determine the District’s future demand scenarios as they pertain to land use designations, growth projections, water use trends, and environmental & regulatory demands. 

STAGE 9: SUPPLY

This stage will seek to determine the District’s future supply scenarios as they pertain to land use designations, growth projections, water use trends and environmental & regulatory demands.

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Recap of January 10 Plan for Water Meeting:

In January, NID revealed its proposed demand model and key model inputs and assumptions pertaining to historical and future projected uses and losses of water. Key takeaways from this meeting:

• A robust discussion was had with respect to model inputs and assumptions, particularly concerning historical water demand data vs. actual water deliveries – and the need to confirm the reliability of said data within the demand model.
• NID’s proposed demand inputs and assumptions are “configurable” and may be adjusted as needed to ensure the right data is being captured – the proposed demand model will be updated in mid-2023.
• Post-meeting, SYRCL and other interested stakeholders submitted numerous outstanding questions pertaining to the demand model and respective process, which can be viewed here.
• NID provided a written response to these questions, which can be found here.

Looking Ahead to February 21:

NID staff will provide an overview of its Reservoir Operations Model (ResSim Model) – a welcome upgrade from the antiquated model from 2007. In simple terms, this model is used to model reservoir operations at one or more reservoirs simultaneously and can simulate various single and long-term events to inform real-time decision making. 

NID staff will also discuss a draft Plan for Water Policy, to be presented to the Board of Directors, which includes an outline of staff’s intent to provide an annual report to the Board of Directors to monitor the accuracy of Plan for Water modeling scenarios and also includes the intent to update Plan for Water model data every 5 years to incorporate new climate change, water demand and water diversion data.

See meeting materials below.

NID’s community partners and allies are ready and willing to be of assistance in the planning process. As Plan for Water progresses, it will be essential that key stakeholders, experts, and community members are utilized to help inform the decision-making process, as we believe that the best policies are informed by science and data. SYRCL will continue to be an active participant in the Plan for Water Process and encourages the public to stay informed and engaged as well. 

Join the Plan for Water Meeting either in person or virtually on February 21 

PLAN FOR WATER WORKSHOP INFORMATION:  

Workshop agenda 

Agenda items: 

• Plan for Water Policy – Discuss and approve direction on Plan for Water Policy – Staff Report
• Plan for Water Matrix and Process Check-in – Matrix 
• Stage 7, 8, and 9 – Hydrology and Hydrography – Reservoir Operations Model (ResSim Model) – Presentation

The workshop will be held at NID’s main office at 1036 West Main Street, Grass Valley 

To participate via Zoom, click the following: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89153795559

To join audio using telephone: (669) 900-6833 or (346) 248-7799 or (253) 215 8782 Webinar ID: 891 5379 5559

Or One tap mobile: US: +16699006833,,89153795559# or +16694449171,,89153795559#

You can also write to NID with comments or questions at pfw@nidwater.com. 

Thank you for your continued support and vigilance on this vital issue.