MADISON DSS

The Madison Thermal Decision Support System (DSS) is developed, updated and maintained by Northwestern Energy to manage water temperature downstream of Madison Dam to protect resident fisheries and related river resources by optimization of upstream hydropower operations as required by our Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license. The goal of the DSS is to maintain maximum daily water temperature in the lower Madison River (near Black's Ford) at or below 80 °F. The DSS monitors air and water temperature, weather forecasts, and employs pulse flows from Madison Dam whenever lower Madison River temperatures are predicted to exceed 80 °F at the Sloan Meteorological Station (Sloan Met Station).