On the Ground... In the Water... Practical Lessons learned David Heintzman PGE Hydro Licensing NWHA February 20, 2008 NWHA February 20, 2008

“Practical” Lesson Flavors Painful Surprising Anticipated Fortuitous Unfortunate Insightful NWHA February 20, 2008

The Project Willamette Falls Hydroelectric Project –Located at Natural Water Falls/Barrier –Highly modified over prior 150 years, Physical development (other industry) Fish resources (State fish ladder, hatchery ops) End of prior 50-year license –Totally different landscape Resource management Relicensing process and expectations NWHA February 20, 2008

Challenge(s) »Fish »Fish & »Lamprey Fish Provide safer downstream passage of juvenile salmonids past the Project (i.e., through the Powerhouse AND over the Falls.) NWHA February 20, 2008

Challenges Find alternative to Criteria Screening of Powerhouse intake of 7,000cfs and large forebay elevation changes. “Modified” flow around Falls leading to responsibility of fish over Falls. Survival standard goal (99.5%) vs. Actionable survival standard (>98%). NWHA February 20, 2008

Implemented Actions Alternate Powerhouse Bypass systems –Improved Forebay hydraulics –New Fish Bypass Route (2 total) –Test to prove performance Safer passage over Falls during the adverse conditions –Flow Control Structure to focus low flows. –Test “passed” fish to prove performance NWHA February 20, 2008

New and extended guidewall Paved forebay floor Curved rack entrance New Bypass System chute Existing bypass outfall link chute

Flow Control Structure (FCS) Three 50’ wide flow bays (inflatable bladder gates) NWHA February 20, 2008 Natural chute into deep pool

Lessons Learned Engaging participants responsible for the resource to help protect the resource works...but it takes time and effort. Testing performance of alternate structures is time consuming and expensive. Things change, but frequent stakeholder site visits and conversation during construction makes field changes easier and acceptable. Settlement vs. FERC license: How to satisfy both as well as parties. NWHA February 20, 2008

Other Lessons Learned  Lamprey (the ‘other’ fish) proved difficult to manage...not well understood, not listed.  Older Project details not well documented  Field fit -> performance->more testing  “Make it happen” construction needs restraint (air-raid horns at ‘oh-dark-thirty’ not good!)  Be open to, and watch for, gifts (ingenuity, agency ideas, secondary benefits, etc.)  Settlement vs. FERC License....longer term!?!? NWHA February 20, 2008