Your PUD
News Release
Warning - spill to begin in Chelan River Gorge
Chelan County PUD
News Release
5/29/2009
Chelan County PUD expects to start spilling water through the Chelan River Gorge on Monday, June 8, as required by the federal license and operating objectives for the Lake Chelan Hydro Project. Timing could change depending on conditions.
People are warned to stay out of the narrow, dangerous gorge at all times, especially during spill.
Spill will begin at varying amounts to test the impact of water flow on new fish habitat being built in the lower section of the river near the powerhouse at Chelan Falls.
The goal is to keep spill at 3,000 cfs or less at any one time during this season to monitor impacts on improvements to the bypass channel built as part of the fish habitat work, said Scott Buehn, PUD power resource engineer. However, depending on temperature and runoff, the amount of spill may be increased or decreased without notice to keep the lake level below 1,100 feet above sea level and to ensure dam and powerhouse safety.
Beginning Oct. 1, 80 cfs minimum will flow year-round into the gorge as mandated by the new 50-year license for the Lake Chelan hydro project granted in 2006.
Seven operating objectives in the Lake Chelan Hydro Project license, as well as lake elevation targets, are considered when planning power generation and refill of the lake.
One of the projects’ two turbine-generators is expected to operate at maximum output for now. The second unit is being replaced and upgraded and is expected to be back on line in late August or early September.
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For more information contact Scott Buehn, PUD power resource engineer, at 661.4828
Kimberlee Craig
Public Information Officer
661.4320, direct line
679.6958, cell
kimc@chelanpud.org