Upload
others
View
1
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
A REPORT TO
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
Electrical
Es
Mechanical
sI0N4
,.. 4Civil
SEYMOUR
ESI G NATURE Protection & Control
...Transmission & Distribution
or
Telecontrol
System Planning
Upgrade Burnt Dam SpiUway Structure
Burnt Dam
April 2012
newfoundland labrador
C) hydroa nalcor energy company
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro i
SUMMARY
In 2009 Hydro recognized that many of its hydraulic structures associated with the Bay
d’Espoir hydro generation system were over 40 years of age and had not undergone a
condition assessment or comprehensive upgrade to extend their service lives. Hatch, a
professional engineering consultant, was retained to study structures at five sites; Bay
d’Espoir, Burnt Dam, Victoria, Ebbegunbaeg, and Salmon River. A report was prepared with
recommendations to extend the service life of the structures at each site by 25 years along
with budget cost estimates to implement the recommendations.
This project provides for upgrades in the third year of a four year program to extend the
service life of the Burnt Dam structure. Hydro is proposing this project to ensure high
reliability of operation for the two gates at Burnt Dam Spillway. It will include refurbishment
and upgrading the heating, control, electrical and safety systems.
Also depending on findings from the detailed inspections of the gates scheduled in 2012, a
supplementary application may be submitted to replace and refurbish additional
mechanical components of the gates including the embedded parts, rollers, seals and
surfaces.
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. i
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1
2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................ 4
3 JUSTIFICATION .................................................................................................................... 6
3.1 Existing System .......................................................................................................... 7
3.2 Operating Experience ................................................................................................ 8
3.2.1 Reliability Performance .................................................................................. 9
3.2.1.1 Outage Statistics ......................................................................................... 9
3.2.2 Legislative or Regulatory Requirements ...................................................... 10
3.2.3 Safety Performance ..................................................................................... 10
3.2.4 Environmental Performance ........................................................................ 10
3.2.5 Industry Experience ..................................................................................... 11
3.2.6 Vendor Recommendations .......................................................................... 11
3.2.7 Maintenance or Support Arrangements ...................................................... 11
3.2.8 Maintenance History ................................................................................... 11
3.2.9 Historical Information .................................................................................. 12
3.2.10 Anticipated Useful Life ................................................................................. 12
3.3 Forecast Customer Growth ...................................................................................... 12
3.4 Development of Alternatives ................................................................................... 13
3.5 Evaluation of Alternatives ........................................................................................ 13
3.5.1 Energy Efficiency Benefits ............................................................................ 13
3.5.2 Economic Analysis ........................................................................................ 13
4 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................... 14
4.1 Budget Estimate ....................................................................................................... 14
4.2 Project Schedule ...................................................................................................... 15
APPENDIX A ............................................................................................................................. A1
APPENDIX B ............................................................................................................................. B1
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 1
1 INTRODUCTION
The Bay d’Espoir Development includes three hydroelectric generating stations, six
reservoirs, and associated dykes, dams, canals and hydraulic structures. The headwaters of
the Bay d’Espoir Development begin at the Victoria Lake reservoir at an approximate
elevation of 320 meters. The water travels through the Granite Canal Hydroelectric
Generating Station (Granite Canal), Upper Salmon Hydroelectric Generating Station (Upper
Salmon) and finally through the Bay d’Espoir Hydroelectric Generating Station (Bay d’Espoir)
where it discharges at sea level. Additional water is collected, stored and diverted from
drainage areas between Victoria Lake and the Long Pond reservoir which is the forebay for
Bay d’Espoir.
The generating stations comprising the Bay d’Espoir Development were built over a number
of years with the Bay d’Espoir station being the oldest dating back to 1967 and Granite
Canal Development being the newest, coming online in 2003. Some of the oldest hydraulic
structures within the Bay d’Espoir Development were constructed in 1967. There are four
remote hydraulic structures associated with Bay d’Espoir. They are Ebbegunbaeg Control
Structure, Salmon River Spillway Structure, Victoria Control Structure and Burnt Dam
Spillway.
Burnt Dam Spillway, shown in Figure 1 and on the map in Figure 2, is a critical hydraulic
structure in the Bay d’Espoir Development. It allows water from the Burnt Pond Reservoir,
a small uncontrolled reservoir south of the Victoria Lake Reservoir, to be released in a
controlled, non-destructive manner when needed for flood control. Water discharged from
Burnt Dam Spillway is lost from the Bay d’Espoir Reservoir System, and not available for
production of electrical energy at Granite Canal, Upper Salmon and Bay d’Espoir generating
stations. The spillway consists of two seven-meter wide steel gates which can release a
combined 1,144 cubic meters per second of water at the maximum flood level. During the
44 year period up to 2011, one or both gates have been opened and then closed for flood
control 33 times.
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 2
Figure 1 - Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Figure 2 - Victoria Lake and Burnt Pond Reservoirs
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 3
To provide further spilling in extreme floods (a 1 in 10,000 years occurrence), a fuse plug
has been constructed in the north end of the Burnt Canal. In the event that the Burnt Dam
Spillway is unable to handle flood flows, a fuse plug, which acts like a pressure relief valve,
will rupture and allow further flood waters to discharge from the reservoir. The fuse plug is
a section of the dam that is designed to fail once the water reaches a critical elevation. This
allows water to spill in a more controlled manner than what would occur if the dam
breached. The fuse plug is designed to fail at a water elevation of 315.2 meters, whereas
spilling at the Burnt Dam Spillway normally commences at 313.9 meters. The water level in
the Burnt Pond Reservoir can rise quickly in a flood situation. A delay in gate opening of 24
hours during a high run-off period could result in fuse plug failure.
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 4
2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project is the third year of a four-year program to upgrade the Burnt Dam Spillway
Structure (Burnt Spillway). Equipment at the spillway is at or near the end of its useful life
and/or is in a deteriorated condition. After this upgrade is completed, the Burnt Dam
Spillway will be in a condition to operate safely and reliably for another 25 years.
This project involves replacement, refurbishment and upgrade of various components at
the Burnt Spillway. The scope of work for the project includes the following:
• Replacing the upper and lower cut-out limit switches and overload switches and
controls on both gates;
• Replacing the gate positioning and measurement system on both gates;
• Replacing the electrical disconnect and starter on both gates;
• Installing stepped thermostatic control and monitoring on the gate, gain, and sill
heaters on gate 1;
• Modifying the sill heater for easier replacement on gate 1;
• Replacing the 120/240V distribution panel; and
• Replacing the 600V to 120/240V transformer.
• Improving the drainage around the diesel building to address flooding problems;
Also, depending on the findings from a detailed inspection of the gates scheduled in 2012 a
supplementary application may be submitted to complete the following:
• Refurbishing concrete and embedded parts (gate roller tracks and seal plates) on
both gates;
• Replacing gate seals, rollers, pins and bushings on both gates; and
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 5
• Refurbishing and recoating the metal surfaces of both gate.
The budget estimate for year three of this project is presently $885,800. Engineering is
scheduled to start in January, 2013 with construction being undertaken from July to October
2013.
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 6
3 JUSTIFICATION
This project is justified on the requirement to replace failing or deteriorated infrastructure
in order for Hydro to provide safe, reliable flood management for the Victoria Lake and
Burnt Pond Reservoirs as well as fisheries compensation flow into the White Bear River. A
condition assessment study performed by a professional engineering firm, HATCH, in 2008
(see Appendix A) identified Burnt Spillway as having the lowest overall Health Index when
compared to four other hydraulic structures of similar vintage within the Bay d’Espoir
Development. Hydro’s ability to continue to manage flood waters and meet its fisheries
compensation commitments is contingent upon the successful upgrade of Burnt Spillway.
When the four-year upgrade program for Burnt Spillway is complete, this hydraulic
structure will be in a condition to operate safely and reliably for at least another 25 years.
As discussed earlier there is a fuse plug installed in the north end of Burnt Canal as an
emergency relief to control extreme flooding. If the fuse plug ruptured Burnt Pond
Reservoir would drain down to the bottom elevation of the fuse plug resulting in loss of
storage from the Burnt Pond Reservoir. While awaiting fuse plug reconstruction, there
would be loss of the full potential use of the Victoria Lake Reservoir, which could be up to
550 Gigawatt-hours of stored energy. It is estimated that to replace that amount of energy
with thermal generation from Holyrood would be $105.2 million based on oil prices of
$114.5 per barrel. Water that would normally be released from the Victoria Lake Reservoir
into the Burnt Pond Reservoir, and which would subsequently flow through the Burnt Canal
to the remainder of the Bay d’Espoir Reservoir System, would instead be spilled through the
Burnt Spillway, and/or the failed fuse plug, and lost for hydro generation.
Critical component failure in a major piece of drive equipment would result in the inability
to open or close a gate. If the reservoir water elevations are rising and a gate is unable to be
opened it will diminished spill capacity and increase the potential of a fuse plug failure.
However if reservoir elevations are decreasing and a spillway gate is stuck in the open
position it results in a potential spill of up to 575 cubic meters of water per second. Spilled
water is lost and cannot be used for power generation anywhere on the system.
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 7
Operation of the fuse plug would have significant consequences including lost reservoir
water, fuse plug reconstruction cost, and disruption of effective water management for the
Bay d’Espoir Reservoir System while the fuse plug was being reconstructed. Reconstruction
of the fuse plug is estimated to cost $1,000,000 and would take between six and ten
months to complete, depending upon the time of year of the failure.
Heating of the gates and gains during winter operation is critical and if not available when
required could prevent the gates from opening due to ice accumulation in the gains and on
the gates. Seized gate rollers can overload the gate hoists resulting in damage to hoist
equipment or tripping of the gate overloads. Worn embedded parts and gate seals can
cause leakage, unnecessary spillage, and excessive icing of the gates and gains. Failure of
limit and load safety devices can result in major equipment damages as well as unsafe
working conditions. To ensure reliable operation of the gates at all times all electrical and
mechanical components and systems must be reliable and in good condition.
3.1 Existing System
The Burnt Spillway is a two gate structure that is required to discharge water in a controlled
manner from the Burnt Pond Reservoir in the event of flood conditions. It is also used in the
summer time to discharge water for fishery compensation. Each gate is raised and lowered
via a screw and drive nut system that makes use of a primary gearbox and two gear driven
hoists to transform the rotational motion of the main gearbox drive motor into vertical
motion for repositioning the gates. Other than a small building housing some of the
electrical panels the remainder of the structure is open to the elements.
The spillway structure was placed in service in 1967, is now approximately 45 years old, and
has never undergone a major overhaul. It is a manned remote diesel powered site that can
be accessed by truck over a dirt road for six to seven months of the year and by helicopter
other times of the year when the road is not kept open. However due to remoteness and
poor road conditions crew changes are normally done by a helicopter on a year round basis.
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 8
In year one (2011) of this upgrade program the plan was to replace the stop log hoist and its
storage enclosure but due to the late delivery of the hoist that work was not completed and
is now scheduled for 2012. Additional work approved in Board Order P.U. 2 (2012) as part of
the 2012 capital budget includes fabrication of a new stop log storage system, inspection,
and condition assessment of gate mechanical components. Planned major work for Burnt
Dam is shown in Table 1:
Table 1: Planned Major Work and/or Upgrades
Year Major Work and/or Upgrade Comments
2012 Replacement of stop log hoist, enclosure
and electrical equipment
Previously scheduled for 2011 but not
completed due to late delivery of hoist
2012 Refurbishment of gate hoists drives and
screws and refurbishment of stop logs
2012 Fabrication and installation of a stop log
storage system
Stop log storage system with a similar design
to the one a Salmon River spillway
2012
Detailed inspection of embedded parts
and mechanical and electrical components
of each gate
3.2 Operating Experience
In 2006 there was an incident whereby the gates at Burnt Spillway failed to operate when
required. A crew was dispatched from Bay d’Espoir to perform emergency work on both
gates but could not get either of the gates open to the position required in order to lower
the reservoir water level. This is a serious situation during times of high reservoir levels as
there is a potential to cause a fuse plug failure. The incident in 2006 did not cause a fuse
plug failure however it did cause the loss of a significant amount of reservoir water when
both gates for a period of time could not be closed when required. It was estimated at that
time that the cost to replace the value of the lost hydro generation with thermal generation
from the Holyrood station was $2.6 million (based on $50 per barrel).
During the incident, when neither gate would rise to the required open position, the
dispatched crew was successful in raising the gates sufficiently enough to prevent failure of
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 9
the fuse plug. However once the reservoir levels where reduced to an acceptable level the
crew had difficulty closing the gates. This resulted in three days of additional work but more
importantly the loss of a significant amount of stored energy in the form of lost water
through the spillway.
3.2.1 Reliability Performance
Due to the high potential for flash flooding of Burnt Pond the reliability of the Burnt Dam
Spillway must be kept extremely high. When it was first commissioned in the 1960s it was
an unmanned remotely controlled structure but due to problems being experienced, and
the need to guarantee operational reliability, it was converted to a manual operation. There
now is concern for the reliability of the gate operations due to hardware deterioration
which could cause a similar incident as happened in 2006. In addition there have been a
number of problems related to reliability of the diesel generators that supply power to the
hydraulic structure. Upgrades to the diesel generation system are planned in year four of
this upgrade program.
3.2.1.1 Outage Statistics
Outage statistics for the Burnt Spillway are not formally recorded. A review of work order
history indicates that there have been at least four occasions when a gate could not be
opened or closed due to cold temperatures, ice accumulation, or hardening of the grease for
the gate hoist screw stems. A malfunction of a gate at Burnt Spillway does not directly impact
production at any of the three downstream generating stations. Outages on Burnt Spillway
are normally planned and only taken for maintenance purposes, usually on an annual basis
during a time when the threat of spilling is very low. Only one gate is taken out of service at
any one time leaving the other gate available for spilling or fisheries compensation.
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 10
3.2.2 Legislative or Regulatory Requirements
In 1966, an agreement was made between the Newfoundland and Labrador Power
Commission (now Hydro) and the Department of Fisheries of Canada (now Fisheries and
Oceans Canada) titled Release of Water to Protect Fish Populations in Grey River and White
Bear River. The agreement took effect February 1966 and was varied by letters dated
September 8, 1977 and July 11, 1996 (see Appendix B). The agreement established
measures to be taken by the Power Commission for the conservation of stocks of
anadromous fishes to be affected by the Bay d’Espoir Development, under the provisions of
the Fisheries Act, R.S.C. 1952, c.119; as amended by 1960-61, c.23. Hydro’s ability to meet
its fisheries compensation commitment is contingent upon the successful upgrade of the
Burnt Spillway to ensure reliable gate operation.
3.2.3 Safety Performance
Improper operation of limit and load switches on the gate hoists have the potential of
causing major damage to equipment and hazards to any employees working or operating in
the general area.
3.2.4 Environmental Performance
The gates at Burnt Spillway are required to provide fisheries compensation flow into the
White Bear River to protect fish populations. In accordance with an agreement between
Hydro and the Federal Department of Fisheries (see Appendix B), a flow of 7.08 cubic
meters per second must be maintained at the mouth of the White Bear River from June 1 to
September 30 each year. This is achieved by releasing up to 4.25 cubic meters per second,
through a gate opening of 8.5 cm in the Burnt Spillway during this period. Hydro relies on
Environment Canada flow data for White Bear River to schedule compensation flows
through Burnt Spillway. During the 44 year period up to 2011, the gates were operated for
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 11
fisheries compensation flow every year except for one. Also, if the gates were unable to
open during flood conditions breeching of the fuse plug and dam would potentially cause
environmental damage down steam of the structures.
3.2.5 Industry Experience
Churchill Falls Labrador Corporation is involved in a rehabilitation program on the control
and spillway structures in their system. These structures are approximately 40 years old.
Menihek Generating Station in Labrador was commissioned in 1954 and has gates similar to
the ones used at Burnt Dam. Menihek is also presently looking at a rehabilitation program
for their spillway structure.
3.2.6 Vendor Recommendations
There are no vendor recommendations pertaining to this particular type of work.
3.2.7 Maintenance or Support Arrangements
Routine preventive and corrective maintenance is performed by Hydro personnel. Repairs
to the embedded parts will be contracted out. Depending on the availability of internal
labor the remainder of the work planned for this project for 2013 will be completed by
internal labor or contracted out.
3.2.8 Maintenance History
The five-year maintenance history for the Burnt Dam Spillway is provided in Table 2. No
major maintenance activity was undertaken prior to 2007.
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 12
Table 2: Five-Year Maintenance History
Year
Preventive
Maintenance
($000)
Corrective
Maintenance
($000)
Total
Maintenance
($000)
2011 7.6 1.2 8.8
2010 2.0 0.2 2.2
2009 8.1 6.4 14.5
2008 4.1 11.1 15.2
2007 3.6 1.2 4.8
3.2.9 Historical Information
None of Hydro’s spillway structures have ever been overhauled. However due to improper
load design of the drives for the gate screws at Hind’s Lake Spillway Structure the drive
gears were upgraded and replaced on both gates. In addition one of the three gate screw
hoists (gate 2) at Ebbegunbaeg was replaced with a cable hoist due to concerns with the
availability of spare parts and frequent failures of the screws.
Upgrades to the Burnt Dam Spillway structure were approved in Board Order P. U. 2 (2012)
for $523,800 as part of the 2012 capital budget.
3.2.10 Anticipated Useful Life
It is anticipated that the service life of Burnt Spillway will be extended by at least 25 years
when the refurbishment program is complete.
3.3 Forecast Customer Growth
Forecast customer growth does not impact this project.
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 13
3.4 Development of Alternatives
There are no viable alternatives to upgrading the Burnt Spillway.
3.5 Evaluation of Alternatives
Where there are no alternatives, thus an evaluation is not required.
3.5.1 Energy Efficiency Benefits
There are no energy efficiency benefits that can be attributed to this project.
3.5.2 Economic Analysis
Where there were no alternatives an economic analysis is not applicable.
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 14
4 CONCLUSION
Burnt Dam Spillway is critical to Hydro’s Bay d’Espoir reservoir system for flood control and
fisheries compensation and must be maintained at an extremely high level of reliability. This
project provides for work to be completed in year three of a four year program that involves
upgrading of gate electrical systems and controls to help ensure a high degree of
operational reliability. Also depending on the findings from the detailed inspection in 2012
it possibly may include the refurbishment of the gates’ mechanical components.
4.1 Budget Estimate
A budget estimate for this project is provided in Table 3:
Table 3: Project Budget Estimate Project Cost:($ x1,000) 2013 2014 Beyond Total
Material Supply 160.0 0.0 0.0 160.0
Labour 411.3 0.0 0.0 411.3
Consultant 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Contract Work 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other Direct Costs 122.0 0.0 0.0 122.0
Interest and Escalation 53.8 0.0 0.0 53.8
Contingency 138.7 0.0 0.0 138.7
TOTAL 885.8 0.0 0.0 885.8
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 15
4.2 Project Schedule
A milestone schedule for this project is provided in Table 4:
Table 4: Project Schedule
Activity Start Date End Date
Planning Open project. Develop detailed
schedule
January 2013 March 2013
Design Control systems , PLC Programming ,
Drawings
February 2013 June 2013
Procurement Procurement of materials March 2013 June 2013
Construction Upgrading of both gates July 2013 September 2013
Commissioning Commissioning of both gates and
control systems
August 2013 September 2013
Closeout Closeout, Lessons Learned and
documentation
October 2013 November 2013
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A1
APPENDIX A
Hydraulic Structure Life Expectancy Study – Final Report (Hatch)
(excerpts applicable to the Burnt Dam Spillway Structure)
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A2
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A3
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A4
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A5
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A6
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A7
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A8
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A9
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A10
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A11
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A12
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A13
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A14
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A15
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A16
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A17
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A18
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A19
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A20
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A21
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A22
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A23
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A24
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A25
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A26
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A27
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix A
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro A28
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix B
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro B1
APPENDIX B
Release of Water to Protect Fish Populations
in Grey River and White Bear River
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix B
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro B2
Category: Environmental Agreements with Government Agencies Agreement for Release of Water to Protect Fish Populations in Grey River and White
Bear River, 1996
TITLE: Agreement between Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Regarding Release of Water to Protect Fish Populations in Grey River and White Bear River dated February 1966, and Varied by Letter from Mr. R. J. Wiseman, Section Head, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Mr. Gerald Marks, System Operation Engineer, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro dated September 8, 1977, and Further Varied for White Bear River by Letter from Ms. Michelle Gosse, Habitat Evaluation Engineer, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Mr. L. LeDrew, Ecologist, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro dated July 11, 1996.
Related Documents:
AGREEMENT TITLE RELEASE OF WATER TO PROTECT FISH POPULATIONS IN GREY
RIVER AND WHITE BEAR RIVER
EFFECTIVE DATE FEBRUARY 1966, VARIED BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 1977,
AND FURTHER VARIED FOR WHITE BEAR RIVER BY LETTER DATED
JULY 11, 1996
SIGNATORIES NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR HYDRO
AND
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS
Schedule
An enumeration of requirements discussed between officials of the Department of Fisheries of
Canada and of the Newfoundland and Labrador Power commission at a meeting held in the
Commission’s offices on 21 January 1966 of measures to be undertaken by the Power
Commission for the conservation of stocks of anadromous fishes to be affected by the Bay
D’Espoir Power Development. These measures are required of the Power commission under
the provisions of the Fisheries Act, R.S.C. 1952, c.119; as amended by 1960-61, c.23.
1. Salmon River, East Bay, Fish Populations: Fishways or other fish protective devices o
measures are not required at Power Commission works to be installed on this river (see
Ministerial approval dated August 6, 1965, and correspondence from Department’s Area
Office to Power commission dated August 26, 1965).
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix B
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro B3
2. North West Brook Fish Populations: Fishways or other fish protective devices or measures
are not required to be installed to protect indigenous fish populations of this stream. This
does not preclude requirement for fish protective devices or measures which may arise
after the development has become operative as described in No. 5 below.
3. White Bear River Fish Populations: Fisheries problems that may arise when the watershed
of this river is incorporated into the Bay D’Espoir Power Development are not herein
considered. These will be evaluated separately when and if the decision to proceed with
this stage of the power development has been made.
4. Grey River Fish Populations:
i) The Power Commission will install at Pudop’s Dam, Grey River, a 4 foot, 6 inch
diameter release pipe and facilities adequate to ensure that flow in the lower river,
measured at an agreed gauging station below the confluence of Grey River and
Salmon Brook, does not fall below 600 cfs. Except as noted in 4(vii).
ii) The water release facilities referred to in 4 (I shall be maintained and operated by
the Power Commission.
iii) It is understood that release of water as described in 4 (I will normally be required
only during the period June 1 – October 31 of any year. This, however, does not
preclude requirement for water release if necessary for fish conservation purposes
at other times in any year.
iv) The supply and installation of gauging equipment (of a recording type) required at
the gauging station referred to in 4 (I shall be the responsibility of the Power
Commission. However, because of difficulties that may be encountered by the
Commission in fulfilling this responsibility, the Department will provide such
reasonable assistance in this regard as may be requested of it by the Power
Commission.
v) An officer of the Department shall be responsible for “reading” the aforementioned
gauge and shall, when flow falls to the 600 cfs. Level or below, immediately advise
the designated officer of the Power Commission. Upon receipt of such notice, the
Power Commission shall initiate measures to release amounts of water required to
maintain flow at, or bring it up to the 600 cfs. Level, and shall continue to release
such amounts as will maintain flow at or above such level until natural runoff
conditions below the dam are adequate to maintain flow at 600 cfs.
vi) On receipt of notice from the designated officer of the Department that water
release is required, the Power Commission shall take all necessary steps to initiate
same at the earliest moment; it being understood that, excepting conditions beyond
the control of the Power Commission, water release will be initiated within 24 hours
after receipt of notice from the Department officer>
vii) It is understood that flow as described in 4(v) will be provided except that when the
water level of Pudop’s reservoir is below that required to provide necessary volume
of flow through the release facilities, the Power Commission shall not be liable to
release water in excess of that which reservoir level will enable release facilities to
deliver below Pudop’s Dam.
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix B
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro B4
viii) Until such time as more efficient means of communication may become utilizable,
notice of required water release to the Power Commission shall be by radio-
telephone. To this end, the Power Commission will supply adequate R/T sets at Grey
River and at Bay D’Espoir Control Room.
5. Conne River Fish Populations: Because it is impossible to predict the effect of the Bay
D’Espoir Power Development on anadromous fish runs to Conne River in advance of the
power development becoming operative and, particularly, since these runs may be
affected by greatly increased flow from the powerhouse at North West Brook, this
problem, if it arises, shall be the subject of separate discussion, the solution to which is in
no way prejudiced by the foregoing.
6. Other matters affecting the fishery interest that may arise, and which cannot reasonably
be foreseen at this time, shall be the subject of separate discussion when and if these
arise.
7. Meeting with Nfld. & Labrador Hydro on White Bear and Grey River Agreement: On
Friday, June 25, 1976, at 1000 hours, a meeting was held in B.R. Bauld’s office with two
officials of N&LH (G. Marks and J. Long). Also attending, addition to the undersigned, was
L.W. Rowe of C&P District Office, Grand Falls. Generally speaking, the following water
release agreements were arranged in principle.
White Bear River: As in the 1971 agreement, N&LH agreed to release 150 cfs from their
Great Burnt Dam during the months June, July, August and September in order to make
up the required 250 cfs at the mouth. In addition, it was agreed that a radio should be set
up at the guardian’s cable on White Bear so that he could water the flow and request
additional release if needed. Ultimately, the Corporation would like to get into a situation
whereby they would only release at Great Burnt during June-September when the flow at
the mouth fell below 250 cfs. Specifically, they do not want to release 150 cfs continually
unless it is needed.
Grey River: After several years of our review of flows and flow requirements on Grey
River, the Service indicated it would be satisfied with a guaranteed 400 cfs.
This Agreement has been varied by two letters attached:
1. Letter from R. J. Wiseman, Section Head, Department of Fisheries and Oceans to Mr. Gerald
Marks, System Operations Engineer, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro dated September
8, 1977 (see letter below) and,
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix B
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro B5
2. Letter from Michelle Gosse, Habitat Evaluation Engineer, Department of Fisheries and
Oceans and Mr. L. LeDrew, Ecologist, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro dated July 11,
1996 (see letter below).
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix B
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro B6
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix B
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro B7
Upgrade Burnt Dam Spillway Structure
Appendix B
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro B8