skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Evaluation of the Eicher screen at Elwha Dam: Spring 1990 test results

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5782125
 [1]
  1. Stone and Webster Engineering Corp., Boston, MA (USA)

In the spring of 1990, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) initiated testing of a prototype inclined penstock screen installed in a 9-foot diameter penstock at the Elwah Hydroelectric Project in Washington State. Results from the first series of tests showed that the screen effectively diverted coho smolts from the penstock with minimal injury. If results of future tests with other species are successful, the design concept has significant potential for application at other hydroelectric projects. The compact nature of the screen, which is designed to function at relatively high water velocities, is particularly suitable for retrofitting at projects where space limitations preclude installation of conventional screening systems. In the first series of tests conducted at the facility, over 99 percent of the coho smolts were diverted without mortality. At penstock velocities from 4 to 6 fps, less than 0.1 percent of the fish had scale loss exceeding 16 percent on either side, and less than 5 percent showed and type of injury. Slightly more descaling was observed at higher penstock velocities. At the maximum velocity tested (7.8 fps), 3.6 percent of the fish had scale loss of over 16 percent, and 18.1 percent of the fish had scale loss between 3 percent and 16 percent. Mortality after a 3- to 10-day holding period averaged 0.21 percent for test fish and 0.14 percent for controls. 9 refs., 27 figs., 17 tabs.

Research Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA); Stone and Webster Engineering Corp., Boston, MA (USA); Hosey and Associates Engineering Co., Bellevue, WA (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
EPRI; Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA)
OSTI ID:
5782125
Report Number(s):
EPRI-GS/EN-7036
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English