Chapter 7 of Water Control Manuals

In an earlier post, I provided an overview of the Corps of Engineers guidance used in reservoir operations and in the development of water control manuals.

Overview of Water Control Manual Guidance

In this post, I provide an overview of the contents of Chapter 7 in water control manuals.

Chapter 7 provides the operational plan for the project.

Pertinent information in this chapter includes:

• General objectives for operating the project
• Operational constraints including downstream constraints
• Overall plan for operating the project in both normal and emergency conditions
• Operational information with respect to recreation, water quality, and fish and wildlife
• Information on water supply and water rights
• Information concerning operations for hydropower and navigation, if applicable
• Information concerning deviations from the normal flood control regulation

Various figures are included in the development of Chapter 7 of the water control manual including evaporation curves, a portion of which is shown below.  

The recommended sections in Chapter 7 are as follows:

Chapter 7 - Water Control Plan

7-01  General Objectives
7-02  Constraints
7-03  Overall Plan for Water Control Management
7-04  Standing Instructions to Project Operator
7-05  Flood Risk Management
7-06  Recreation
7-07  Water Quality
7-08  Fish and Wildlife
7-09  Water Conservation / Water Supply
7-10  Hydroelectric Power
7-11  Navigation
7-12  Drought Contingency Plans
7-13  Flood Emergency Action Plans
7-14  Other
7-15  Deviation from Normal Regulation
7-16  Rate of Release Change