Information on the DSS Email Protocols

(Last Modified Date: 4/25/2018)

For the 2024 thermal season, NorthWestern Energy Hydro Operators should receive several emails regularly each day (copies to GEI team):

• 12 a.m. Status Report Table (previous 24-hour DSS data);
• 2:30 p.m. Pulse Flow start time and size; or No Action message (this is an early notification);
• 8:30 p.m. Pulse Flow start time and size; or No Action message.

If DSS predicts < 77 °F at Sloan, the 2:30 p.m. email subject will read: DSS: No action required

If DSS predicts > 77 °F at Sloan, the 2:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. email subject will read: DSS: ACTION REQUIRED

Each email will contain specific instructions and graphics including (1) the pulse, (2) the previous week's actual river temperatures at McAllister and Sloan (matched against an 80 °F warning line); and (3) a graphic of the NOAA 7-day Air Temperature Forecast (matched against a 75 °F warning line).

If NOAA forecasts air temperatures above 77 °F, NorthWestern Energy should anticipate pulse instructions depending on discharge levels.

If the DSS fails to email by 12 a.m., 2:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m., NorthWestern Energy operators should follow this protocol:

1. Check to insure Internet connectivity of the server / computer. If connected…
2. Go to the DSS Website: www.madisondss.com
3. Click on the Sloan Station and USGS McAllister links and note the time and date of the “current” river and weather data.
4. If the data is missing or suspect on any variable, notify Andrew Welch (cell: 406-565-7549) or Jordan Tollefson (cell: 406-565-3879), email and then call: Ginger Gillin (cell: 406-240-3231) or Jon Jourdonnais (cell: 406-490-1802) or Donghai Wang (cell: 916-284-2695) for assistance. (Andrew.Welch@NorthWestern.com; Jordan.Tollefson@northwestern.com; ggillin@geiconsultants.com; jjourdonnais@geiconsultants.com; dwang@geiconsultants.com).

Manual Protocol is defined by the following table. Use it if the DSS fails to send an appropriate instruction or you suspect the DSS has made an obvious error. Prior to implementing the Manual Protocol, attempt the above communications, but implement the protocol if the start time has arrived.