Background
The Catawba-Wateree CHEOPS (Computer Hydro-Electric Operations and Planning Software) model was developed as a study tool
during the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing of Duke Energy's hydropower projects in the Catawba River Basin.
Duke Energy has allowed the State to use their model to evaluate basin-wide water resource issues
The model incorporates operational strategies that were developed during the lengthy process of negotiations between stakeholders
during the FERC hydropower relicensing process. A component of these operational strategies is the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP),
which establishes procedures for reductions in water use during periods of low flow.
A purpose of the LIP is that all parties with interests in water quantity would share responsibility to establish priorities and
conserve the limited water supply.
The model uses a 15-minute time step. The output is in both a 15-minute and daily time-step. Only the daily values are being
provided to simplify and improve response time for doing analyzes and summaries.
Model Update
The model has been updated recently since the last development in 2006.
The links to the versions of the model are available here:
- Catawba-Wateree CHEOPS Model Version 2006 Info Link
This link provides online modeling results and reports documented during relicensing process in 2006.
Modeling Reports
- Catawba-Wateree CHEOPS II Model Version 2014
CHEOPS Model Enhancement 2014:
On behalf of the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group (CWWMG), Duke's consulting company HDR initiated discussions
with the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NC-DWR) regarding modeling efforts in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin
using CHEOPS™ for the CWWMG's Water Supply Master Planning efforts. NC-DWR has provided funding for this project,
subject to the modeling effort conforming to DWR's basin modeling requirements and in conformance with Session Law SL2010-143,
and the December 3, 2010 Settlement Agreement South Carolina v. North Carolina, No 138.
Model Technical Team Teleconferences: Feb 2013 - July 2013
Stakeholders Meeting: 08-01-2013
Model Training: 03-17-2014
Final Model Report: September, 2014
Contact Info
- How can I get access to the model?
- Contact Charles Theobald (charles.theobald@ncdenr.gov) or
Neela Sarwar (neelufa.sarwar@ncdenr.gov) to request access to the CHEOPS 2014 model.
Subscribe to the DWR-Catawba stakeholders email list:
