3TIER’s Web-based product offers comprehensive hydrological forecasts

SEATTLE, Wash.— 3TIER today released its new, long-range hydrologic forecasting product for the Columbia River Basin that provides real-time climate and streamflow predictions.

A Web-based product, the Columbia River Basin Monitor offers system operators and power marketers easy, reliable and cost-effective access to analyses of current basin conditions and long-range outlooks for the water year. The regional, long-range predictions include probabilistic monthly to seasonal runoff volume forecasts for multiple streamflow locations in the Pacific Northwest.

Developed by scientists with expertise in Pacific Northwest hydrology, the Columbia River Basin Monitor enables informed decisions to be made about the Columbia River Basin climate, hydrology and hydropower potential.

“The Columbia River Basin Monitor will greatly reduce the time spent tracking critical hydro resources,” said Kenneth Westrick, founder and CEO of 3TIER, one of the world’s largest independent providers of assessment and forecasting of renewable energy. “Our applications allow users to compare with flow forecasts from other centers, and receive up-to-date information about climate outlook and hydrological conditions basin-wide.”

Key features of the Columbia River Basin Monitor include:

• Forecast Evolution Charts
• Tabular Forecast Summaries
• Climate Outlooks
• Spatial Snow Water Equivalent & Soil Moisture Conditions
• Observed Snow Conditions (SNOTEL)
• Basin-Average Moisture Conditions
• FAQ & Synopsis; Convenient Links to additional forecast information
• Downloadable forecast report

“The Columbia River Basin Monitor is part of 3TIER’s PowerSight suite of forecasting tools that span the renewables – wind, solar and hydro,” said Westrick. “The ability to accurately and reliably forecast can greatly maximize the value of a company or utility’s energy portfolio.”

3TIER also offers a separate short-range (seven day ahead) hydro forecasting platform that tailors stream flow and weather forecasts to clients’ specific river, watershed and hydropower facilities.

Click here to download the full press release.