`Fish Friendly’ Collection System Being Installed At Wanapum Dam

Wed., Feb. 1, 1995

Associated Press

Hoping to increase the numbers of young salmon getting past its Columbia River dams, the Grant County Public Utility District is installing a prototype $7.4 million “fish friendly” collection system at Wanapum Dam.

If approved by federal agencies, the central Washington PUD could eventually spend as much as $120 million to install the collection systems at the Wanapum and Priest Rapids dams on the Columbia River.

“Economics isn’t a factor,” PUD biologist Stuart Hammond said. “The costs are still there if we don’t have an effective system.”

Construction of the prototype covering four turbine intake areas at Wanapum Dam will cost $7.4 million.

It will be tested in April during the spring salmon runs.

“It is generally more fish friendly,” Hammond said. “There is no high velocity, no high pressure.”

The Chelan County PUD is installing a surface collection system at Rocky Reach Dam, which also is scheduled to be tested during the spring salmon runs.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also considering surface collection systems at The Dalles Dam and plans to have a prototype installed within five years, corps fish biologist Gary Johnson said.

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