1. TMT Presentation March 31, 2010 Scott English Water Quality Program Manager NWD Reservoir Control Center

2. Introduction Water Quality Standards Exemptions (Waiver & Rule Adjustment) TDG Instances Reporting

3. Water Quality Standards Total Dissolved Gas (TDG) & Temperature are the primary water quality parameters monitored on the mainstem Columbia & Snake Rivers in Idaho, Montana, Washington and Oregon

4. Water Quality Standards The state water quality standards for TDG are defined in terms of Total Maximum Daily Loadings (TMDL) USACE policy is to comply with state water quality standards to the extent practicable regarding nationwide operation of water resources projects

5. Water Quality Standards During the fish migration spill season (April 1 through August 31) USACE receives a waiver to the Oregon State TDG standard & a rule adjustment to the Washington State TDG standard

6. Water Quality Standards In 2007 both Oregon and Washington states changed their water quality standards which effect the TDG instance tracking information during spill season However, these changes to the state water quality standards were not implemented in 2009 spill season due to the 2008 BiOp litigation This condition holds true again in 2010 spill season due to roll-over operations

7. Water Quality Standards There are situations during the spill season when the percent TDG levels exceed these state water quality exemptions we are operating to The NWD Water Quality Team track these situations and report them to the states as instances The definitions of the causes (types) of instances has been evolving since 2003

8. TDG Instance Reporting From 2002 – 2008 fourteen instance types were used In 2009 the definitions were condensed from fourteen to three instance types which include all of the previous fourteen This approach will continue for the 2010 spill season reporting

9. TDG Instance Reporting

10. Type 1 Condition TDG levels exceed the TDG standard due to exceeding powerhouse capacity at run-of-river projects resulting in spill above the BiOp fish spill levels. This condition type includes: High runoff flows and flood control efforts BPA load requirements are lower than actual powerhouse capacity Involuntary spill at Mid Columbia or lower Snake river dams resulting in high TDG levels entering the lower Columbia River

11. Type 1a Condition Planned and unplanned outages of hydro power equipment including generation unit, intertie line, or powerhouse outages

12. Type 2 Exceedance TDG exceedances due to the operation or mechanical failure of non-generating equipment. This exceedance type includes: Flow deflectors unable to function for TDG abatement with tailwater elevations above 19 - 26 feet at Bonneville Dam Spill gates stuck in open position or inadvertently left open Increased spill in a bulk spill operation to pass debris Communication errors, such as teletype were transmitted but change was not timely made or misinterpretation of intent of teletype by Project operator

13. Type 2a Exceedance Malfunctioning FMS gauge, resulting in fewer TDG or temperature measurements when setting TDG spill caps

14. Type 3 Exceedance TDG exceedances due to uncertainties when using best professional judgment, SYSTDG model and forecasts. This exceedance type includes: Uncertainties when using best professional judgment to apply the spill guidance criteria, e.g., travel time, degassing, and spill patterns Uncertainties when using the SYSTDG model to predict the effects of various hydro system operations, temperature, degassing, and travel time Uncertainties when using forecasts for flows, temperature and wind. Unanticipated sharp rise in water temperature (a 1.5 degree F. or greater change in a day) Bulk spill pattern being used which generated more TDG than expected

15. Reporting Mechanism The NWD Water Quality Team will track TDG instances through out the 2010 spill season. Appendix F of the Annual Dissolved Gas & Temperature Monitoring Report provides the reporting details to the states and stakeholders.

16. Questions?

17. Thank you!