Successive linear programming, an optimal control algorithm, and a combination of linear programming and dynamic programming (LP‐DP) are employed to optimize the operation of multireservoir hydrosystems given a deterministic inflow forecast. The algorithm maximize the value of energy produced at on‐peak and off‐peak rates, plus the estimated value of water remaining in storage at the end of the 12‐month planning period. The LP‐DP algorithm is clearly dominated: it takes longer to find a solution and produces significantly less hydropower than the other two procedures. Successive linear programming (SLP) appears to find the global maximum and is easily implemented. For simple systems the optimal control algorithm finds the optimum in about one fifth the time required by SLP but is harder to implement. Computing costs for a two‐reservoir, 12‐month deterministic problem averaged about seven cents per run using optimal control and 37 cents using successive linea