A study led by Scripps economist Tom Corringham and staff researcher Denali Pinto estimates that a reservoir operation system co-led by Scripps, state, federal, and local water authorities could save California between $100 million and $200 million per year in added water available for agricultural, urban, and household needs. ^[1] California will seek to identify 9 million acre-feet (2.9 trillion gallons) of additional water supply by 2040. ^[2] The researchers estimate that FIRO could increase water storage by approximately 315,000 acre-feet, or more than 100 billion gallons, per year across 20 of California's largest reservoirs. ^[3] Tom Corringham stated that ripple effects from recreation, power generation, enriched fishery stocks, and improved flood risk management make the $100 million to $200 million estimate conservative. ^[4] Climate data and three independent climate models indicate that a Super El Niño is strengthening, projecting a wet winter for California and a warm winter for the Pacific Northwest. ^[5] The study suggests that improved weather and water forecasts could help California gain more value from existing reservoirs to meet a new water supply target. ^[6] Butte County officials argued that the county has carried significant financial and public-safety burdens since the Oroville Dam was completed in 1968, while many of the project's benefits have gone to communities farther south. ^[7]