Upper Baker Dam Floating Surface Collector Development
Alden performed design studies and field startup testingof PSE’s Upper and Lower Baker Dams Floating Surface Collector (FSC) systems. The FSC concept is well-suited for downstream fish passage in deep reservoirs with large variations in water level. Guide nets stretching from the water surface to reservoir bottom funnel migrant fish to the FSC, which provides attraction flow through high-flow submersible pumps. As flow is drawn into the FSC, dewatering screens funnel the fish to holding pens for transportation around the dam.
ALDEN conducted a 3-D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model study of the reservoir hydraulics, guide nets, and FSC to optimize the location, orientation, and discharge of the Upper Baker FSC. Alden then developed a physical model of a preliminary version of the FSC dewatering screens and pumps to improve pump performance and screen channel hydraulics. After construction, ALDEN provided comprehensive field startup testing of the hydraulic performance of the FSC, balanced the dewatering screens, and provided critical operations information to PSE.
Capability
Applied Data & TechnologyNatural Resources & Environmental Planning
Services
Fish Passage Design, Modeling & TestingFish Protection Design, Modeling & Testing
Related Projects
In order to meet screen velocity requirements of the Clean Water Act 316 b rule, American Electric Power has investigated the possibility of replacing the Clifty Creek Power Plant traveling water screens with an array of cylindrical wedgewire screens in the cooling water intake forebay. The site on the Ohio River experiences significant siltation, and there were concerns about associated vulnerability of the wedgewire screens.
Alden performed flow modeling to evaluate this possibility, and provide possible solutions. The model scope included river flow both upstream and downstream of the intake structure and flow within the intake structure. To model the geometric details of the system accurately, a field survey conducted by Alden was performed prior to the flow modeling efforts. The flow study included 2D and 3D numeric modeling, as well as scale physical modeling.
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Applied Data & Technology | Civil Infrastructure
Clifty Creek Power Plant Intake Modification
investigation of the hydraulic, thermal, and sediment dynamics within a cooling water intake forebay on the Ohio River, including both 3D numeric and physical modeling
As part of project/dam surrender and removal efforts at the Saccarappa Hydroelectric Project (Saccarappa), Alden provided S. D. Warren Company d/b/a Sappi North America (Sappi) with the final design and fish passage analysis for nature-like fishways in the upper channels at Saccarappa Falls. The final design involves reshaping the existing bedrock channel into a form that is more conducive to fish passage while mimicking the morphology of a natural bedrock channel. Alden provided agency consultation while developing the design and will ultimately provide construction support. The proposed design complements a proposed double Denil fishway over the lower portion Saccarappa Falls designed in partnership with Acheron Engineering.
Alden conducted a site visit and reviewed existing geotechnical, hydrologic, site constraints, and other site data prior to developing the final design for the nature-like fishways. The final design was achieved by way of iteration between a 3D CAD representation of the proposed bathymetric surface and a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. Expected small-scale roughness of the channel bed was incorporated into the CAD surface through a novel texturizing technique based on a high resolution laser scan of the existing bedrock surface. The CFD model was used to simulate proposed conditions at four discrete design flow rates. Hydraulic data output by the CFD model (e.g., depth and velocity) informed subsequent improvements of the proposed surface in CAD. Sappi and agency review and feedback was provided at 30%, 60%, 90%, and final drafts of the design. Fish passage effectiveness of the final design was analyzed by Alden biologists and engineers using USFWS’s SMath models developed for assessing velocity impediments by estimating fatigue, survivorship, and work. Alden also provided engineering consultation and inspections to support project construction.
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Applied Data & Technology | Civil Infrastructure | Natural Resources & Environmental Planning
Saccarappa Falls Nature-Like Fishway Modeling and Design
Innovative 3D CFD modeling was used to design a fishway to mimic natural bedrock following removal of tow spillway dams.