Real time runoff forecasts for two hydroelectric stations based on satellite snow cover monitoring

Seasonal and short-term runoff forecasts for two hydroelectric stations in the upper Rhine basin are carried out in real time based on snow cover monitoring by Landsat and SPOT satellites. Evaluation of snow reserves on 1 April 1993 from satellite data reveals uncertainties in estimates using point measurements on the ground as index. Runoff is computed by the SRM model with snow covered areas as well as temperature and precipitation forecasts as input variables. A SRM menu system has been installed for operational data acquisition and management. The runoff forecasts can be exploited, among other purposes, for optimizing the hydropower production and for timely decisions on the electricity market.