Patent ID: 7866919

Claim:
A system for storing and selectively dispersing water between reservoirs located in distinct drainage basins, comprising: at least one main reservoir at a first elevation above sea level; a plurality of secondary reservoirs located at elevations lower than the first elevation but still above sea level; a plurality of conduits connecting the at least one main reservoir and the plurality of secondary reservoirs; pumping means for distributing water through the plurality of conduits; generation means for generating electrical power from water distributed to/from the at least one main reservoir and/or from water distributed to/from the plurality of secondary reservoirs; wherein the water in the at least one main reservoir is selectively distributed to the plurality of secondary reservoirs to provide water and/or generate power; wherein the water in the plurality of secondary reservoirs is selectively distributed to the main reservoir to conserve water and reduce water levels at the plurality of secondary reservoirs; wherein at least a portion of the water in the plurality of secondary reservoirs is pumped to the at least one main reservoir during periods of high run-off and/or low power demand to reduce water losses; and wherein at least a portion of the water in the at least one main reservoir is released through at least one of the plurality of conduits and distributed to at least one of the plurality of secondary reservoirs during periods of low run-off and/or high power demand to satisfy a water and/or power demand.