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<br />CHAPTER 2. CONTROLLED RESERVOIR RELEASES <br /> <br />Section 2.01. Release Considerations <br /> <br />As discused in Volume 1, it is generally most economical and <br />effective to make maximum releases to empty flood storage consistent <br />with downstream conditions in order to minimize the need for valuable <br />reservoir flood control space. Maximum feasible target flows at any <br />downstream location are usually those that do not produce serious <br />flood damage by inundation. The stage (elevation) at which serious <br />damage begins can be determined from topographic map studies and field <br />inspections. The flow corresponding to this stage is determined from <br />a rating curve that can be constructed from observed flood stages and <br />flows. The maximum nondamaging flow can vary seasonally, for example <br />where damages are primarily agricultural. Where flow measurements are <br />not available, water surface profiles for various flows may be computed, <br />using methods described in Volume 6, and a stage-discharge curve can <br />then be constructed. The best information on water surface profiles <br />and inundated areas is that obtained during and immediately following <br />actual floods where the peak flow is known and high-water marks are <br />obtained along the damage reach. <br />If good observational data are not available for estimating <br />maximum flows that are not seriously damaging, it can often be inferred <br />that the flow exceeded in half of the years (i.e., the 2-year flood as <br />determined from a flow frequency study) is approximately the maximum <br /> <br />2-01 <br />