Saving the Columbia River fish

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[cool][font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3]Salmon populations in the Columbia River have been declining and hydro system impacts continue to be cited as a major cause of the decline. Because of this, significant changes in system operation and mainstem dam configuration are being suggested. Endangered Species Act compliance is becoming an increasingly large task, Indian tribes are becoming more vocal and litigation settlement talks over hydro system operation are ongoing. In response to these concerns, the Corps of Engineers is beginning several major, concurrent studies of fish passage at its mainstem Columbia/ Snake river dams. These include studies of surface juvenile fish collection, dissolved gas abatement, system configuration, turbine intake screen design, transportation versus in river survival, and adult migration. This paper will discuss the use of a three-dimensional physical model of John Day Lock and Dam, Columbia River to investigate alternatives to improve fish passage at the structure. A 1:80 scale physical model of the site was constructed to investigate flow conditions developed under various operating procedures. The model reproduces the Columbia River from river mile 212.5 to 219.5. The hydraulic experiments investigate fish passage improvement measures required under the Columbia River Juvenile Fish Mitigation Program for the John Day Project. Experiments are being conducted to investigate spill patterns for juvenile fish, drawdown options, gate spill patterns for adult fish, proper location of a juvenile fish transportation facility, and flow conditions approaching the powerhouse intakes.[/size][/green][/font]
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