Snow that has accumulated over the winter season melts during late March and early April and precipitation changes to rain. This can produce a significant amount of runoff because the ground is wet and may be frozen. As a result of the snowmelt and rainfall runoff, natural river flow is normally very high and can reach flood levels. To produce a more uniform river flow, water is stored in the reservoirs to lower the naturally occurring flood flows.

Evaporation and water used by plants decreases the amount of runoff and groundwater available to support river flow. As a result, natural river flow declines. To produce a more uniform river flow, water is released from the reservoirs to augment the naturally low flows.

Fall

Natural water losses to plants and evaporation decline as a result of cooler temperatures and shorter days. Natural river flow increases as fall rains produce more runoff. Some of this excess flow is used to replenish reservoir storage that was used during summer.

Winter

Precipitation turns to snow and runoff ceases. Natural river flow again drops. Reservoir water is released throughout the winter season to augment river flow. Reservoir storage is normally lowered to the minimum allowable level by late March. This maximizes winter flow augmentation and at the same time provides maximum reservoir storage for reducing spring flood flows.