Evaluating effects of proposed instream flow releases for hydroelectric projects

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Hydro Review; (United States)

OSTI ID:5570354

Gooch, T C ^[1]

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1. Freese and Nichols, Inc., Fort Worth, TX (United States)

An issue often associated with hydro project relicensing is that of minimum instream flow -- and whether licensees should provide or increase releases from the project to protect and enhance downstream aquatic habitat. Changes in instream flow requirements can affect energy production, water supply, and recreational opportunities at a project. Therefore, licensees should thoroughly evaluate alternative flow release regimes proposed during relicensing. One hydro project owner in Texas recently used a computer model to evaluate the effects of various instream flow release regimes proposed during the course of relicensing. The computer program allowed the licensee to analyze the effects of each alternative release regime and then bring those effects to the attention of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). As a result, the project's new license (relicense) established a flow release regime that benefits downstream fish and wildlife without causing intolerable harm to other purposes of the project. Traditionally, hydro project owners and resource agencies have used the IFIM methodology to study how changes in instream flow affect habitat. Now, several hydro engineering firms are developing specialized computer programs such as the one for Morris Sheppard Dam to determine effects on reservoir levels and yield and hydroelectric generation, instead of focusing only on habitat effects.

• OSTI ID: 5570354
• Journal Information: Hydro Review; (United States), Vol. 10:3; ISSN 0884-0385
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
OPERATION
FLOW RATE
LICENSING REGULATIONS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
RECREATIONAL AREAS
US FERC
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
POWER PLANTS
REGULATIONS
SIMULATION
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
130600* - Hydro Energy- Environmental Aspects
130300 - Hydro Energy- Plant Design & Operation