First-of-its-kind facility restores downstream Deschutes River salmon
migration
PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
With "votes" from more than 100,000 downstream-migrating fish on the
Deschutes River in 2010, a 273-foot-tall floating fish collection
facility and underwater tower in Central Oregon has won top awards this
month in Washington, D.C. from the National Hydropower Association and
the American Council of Engineering Companies. The project previously
earned national recognition as well from the Edison Electric Institute
and the Associated General Contractors of America.
The tower is the key component of a comprehensive, $136 million effort
to restore fish runs and improve habitat in the Deschutes basin, which
Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) and the Confederated Tribes of the
Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon are pursuing in collaboration with
more than 22 local, state and federal agencies, irrigation districts and
environmental advocates. The fish recovery and habitat restoration
program was developed as part of a relicensing agreement signed for the
Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project in 2004. The hydro project and
the tower are operated by Portland General Electric, which co-owns them
with the Tribes.
On April 1, ACEC announced that PGE and the Tribes and their engineer of
record on the project, CH2M HILL, were selected for the council's Grand
Award, which recognizes firms for projects that demonstrate a high
degree of innovation, achievement, and value.
On April 5, NHA honored the project with its Outstanding Stewards of
American Waters Award, which recognizes significant, innovative projects
that serve as models for the hydro industry.
"We're deeply honored by this recognition," PGE President and CEO Jim
Piro said, "but even more so we and our project partners are extremely
pleased by the success this effort has had in reintroducing fish runs
that had been blocked for decades, while at the same time allowing us to
continue generating reliable hydroelectric power for our customers."
"We are very pleased to be working with our project partners on the
Tribe's long-held goal of reestablishing harvestable, sustainable fish
populations." CTWS Secretary Treasurer Jody Calica said.
The facility, called a selective water withdrawal tower, combines fish
collection with downstream temperature regulation and power generation
at the 465-megawatt hydro project, improving water quality and allowing
fish passage around a 3-dam complex that had prevented salmon and
steelhead migration on the upper Deschutes River for more than 40 years.
The first fish passed through the $115 million tower and related
facilities in December 2009.
EEI presented PGE and the Tribes with its Edison Award for the tower
project in 2010. The award is the electric utility industry's highest
honor and recognizes outstanding leadership and exceptional
contributions to the industry.
AGC presented the tower project with a 2011 Build America Award for best
new environmental construction. The award was accepted by Barnard
Construction Company, Inc., which was the general contractor for the
project.
More information, photographs, podcasts, and video about the selective
water withdrawal tower and the fish and habitat restoration project on
the Deschutes is available online at www.deschutespassage.com.
About Portland General Electric
Portland General Electric, headquartered in Portland, Ore., is a fully
integrated electric utility that serves approximately 821,000
residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oregon. Visit our
Web site at www.PortlandGeneral.com.
POR-F
Source: Portland General Electric Company
PGE
Steve Corson, 503-464-8444
www.portlandgeneral.com/newsroom
www.twitter.com/pgemedia
Source: Portland General Electric Company
News Provided by Acquire Media
