Protection of native fish has required modification of water intakes at major
hydroelectric projects to comply with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) and Clean Water Act water-quality permits. Modifications to current
structures are often simple, requiring only installation of baffles and gates
to prevent fish from entering the intakes. At the Round Butte Hydroelectric
Project, located on Billy Chinook Lake in Oregon, a far more complicated and
innovative design was required to satisfy regulatory requirements.
water complies with water-quality standards. Located in the middle of the
lake, the system is comprised of a floating platform of steel and concrete that
selectively diverts water from specific depths of the lake as well as diverts
migrating fish from the turbine intake.
As part of the FERC license for the Round Butte Dam, the joint owners –
Portland General Electric and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs
– have committed to re-establishing the anadromous fish runs above the
dam and to meet the water-quality requirements of the Clean Water Act.
CH2M HILL’s selective water withdrawal system modifies the surface-current
directions for migrating fish so they can more easily move into the fish
handling area, provides a fish collection system, and ensures the released
The unique structure presented challenging difficulties for design and
construction. The design team developed a 3D model using MicroStation
and TriForma to visualize the design as it progressed, drive the engineering
data, and coordinate and construct the components. Project files were shared
among all team members, including five CH2M HILL offices and a multitude
of consultants. Whenever a component changed, the model was quickly
revised and the data was extracted for quantities and materials. Fabricators
then used the model to extract material quantities and construct specific
components. By enabling the transport of fish around the dam to allow
migration to the ocean, this innovative system encourages fish populations
to thrive.
