ABSTRACT
If earthquakes could be predicted, one could attempt to lower the reservoir prior to the occurrence of a large earthquake. There are two problem areas related to this concept. First, despite some 40 years of research on earthquake prediction, it is still not possible to predict the time, location and size of a large earthquake reliably. Small earthquakes may be predicted but not large ones. Even if a large earthquake could be predicted reliably, there would not be sufficient time to lower large reservoirs. Lowering of a reservoir would have to happen by low level outlets (bottom outlets) or the power waterways if the intake is at low elevation. Unfortunately, bottom outlets are not available everywhere. Therefore, the lowering of a reservoir by say 50% may take weeks or months, and in some cases, it may not be possible at all.
