Downstream extent of the N Reactor plume

Technical Report · Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6181018· OSTI ID:6181018

Dauble, D D; Ecker, R M; Vail, L W; Neitzel, D A

The downstream extent of the N Reactor thermal plume was studied to assess the potential for fisheries impacts downstream of N Reactor. The N Reactor plume, as defined by the 0.5/sup 0/F isotherm, will extend less than 10 miles downstream at river flows greater than or equal to annual average flows (120,000 cfs). Incremental temperature increases at the Oregon-Washington border are expected to be less than 0.5/sup 0/F during all Columbia River flows greater than the minimum regulated flows (36,000 cfs). The major physical factor affecting Columbia River temperatures in the Hanford Reach is solar radiation. Because the estimated temperature increase resulting from N Reactor operations is less than 0.3/sup 0/F under all flow scenarios, it is unlikely that Columbia River fish populations will be adversely impacted.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6181018
• Report Number(s): PNL-6310; ON: DE87014825
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COLUMBIA RIVER
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
N-REACTOR
THERMAL EFFLUENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FISHES
PLUMES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
LWGR TYPE REACTORS
PLUTONIUM PRODUCTION REACTORS
POWER REACTORS
PRODUCTION REACTORS
REACTORS
RIVERS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
VERTEBRATES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
520400* - Environment
Aquatic- Thermal Effluents Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)