South Canal Hydro Project Electric Fish Barrier 01 March 2013 by Jim Heneghan Renewable Energy Engineer Delta-Montrose Electric Association

Uncompahgre Project Details Gunnison Tunnel Completed of 4 Original Bureau of Reclamation Projects Irrigation water for agriculture in the Uncompahgre Valley Uncompahgre Project Irrigates approximately 80,000 acres Hydroelectric Generation Potential recognized from project onset

Hydro Project Milestones DMEA & UVWUA Agree to Partner 01 Feb LOPP Application to USBR  DMEA & UWUA only applicants August LOPP negotiations begin  DMEA/UVWUA Agreement finalized March NEPA scoping meeting  Colorado Parks & Wildlife recommends fish mitigation December 2011 – Draft EA  Comment period through Jan 2012 Feb Final EA & FONSI  Preconstruction Requirements March 2012 – Notice to Proceed

Hydro Project Details Final Design Site 1 = 4 MW o 1000 cfs maximum o 54 feet of head Site 3 = 3.5 MW o 1000 cfs maximum o 48 feet of head Project Budget o $22 million Project Timeline o Construction March 2012 – July 2013

Uncompahgre Project & Fish Fish Entrained in Irrigation Infrastructure West Portal – Start of the South Canal after 5.8 miles of tunnel East Portal – Gunnison Tunnel Intake fed by flows from the Gunnison River

CPW Fish Count South Canal fish are counted and evaluated - CPW’s sampling results indicate South Canal has fish population equivalent to gold medal status - Pre-Hydro, substantial fish losses incurred annually after canal dewatering

Hydro Project & Fish Impact of Hydro on S. Canal Fish - Fish entrainment into newly constructed hydro facilities would be potentially harmful to S. Canal fish - Screening at the East Portal would prevent annual losses and prevent entrainment into the hydro facilities

Electric Fish Barrier Why an Electric Fish Deterrent System? Gunnison River is a gold medal trout fishery – substantial ecological and economic value Gunnison Tunnel has allowed fish losses to the irrigation system since its inception UVWUA had operational concerns with traditional irrigation water screening methods Access to the Gunnison Tunnel inlet is difficult Traditional screens need maintenance of mechanical parts and regular cleaning Debris plugging of traditional screens may potentially damage the tunnel Smith Root system uses electrical field to deter/guide fish away from the tunnel intake DC pulsators housed in the tunnel gate house generate the electricity Current is carried to the suspended electrodes Electrical field at the electrode and extends for about 5 feet into the water

Electric Fish Barrier Fish Barrier Structure Concrete pylons in place on the upstream bank -Concrete deadman in the foreground - Concrete base for steel structure in the middle of the picture

Electric Fish Barrier Fish Barrier Structures - Concrete deadman in foreground - Concrete base for steel structure in middle of picture

Electric Fish Barrier Fish Barrier Structures - Steel structure installation underway on downstream bank

Electric Fish Barrier Fish Barrier Structures - Steel structure installed on the upstream bank

Electric Fish Barrier Fish Barrier Electrodes - Catenary cables aloft while steel electrodes are installed - Electrodes are 3” in diameter and range in length from 12 ft – 16.5 ft

Electric Fish Barrier Fish Barrier Electrodes - Installation continues with fiberglass “spacers” installed on the bottom of the electrodes - Because electrodes consist of anodes and cathodes, spacers are needed to prevent contact of two or more electrodes

Electric Fish Barrier Fish Barrier Installed - Operate during irrigation season. - Emits an electrical field = 2.0 – 4.0 volts per inch. - Deters fish by creating an “uncomfortable environment”; doesn’t shock them.

Electric Fish Barrier Fish Barrier Installed - Fish swimming toward the tunnel are guided back to the river (toward the left in this picture)

Thank You Q & A