The underwater tower near Round Butte dam is now expected to be completed and operating by the end of 2009, ready for the 2010 fish migration period.

The massive tower, originally scheduled for completion in May 2009, was delayed when a portion of the 40-foot diameter steel conduit connecting the top and bottom structures broke off April 11 during assembly in Lake Billy Chinook.

All segments have been retrieved from the lake floor. Design modifications have been made, and construction crews have begun work on repairs and replacements. An analysis of the incident by PGE staff and independent structural experts is continuing to determine the exact cause.

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During summer and fall 2009 and 2010, PGE, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and the Ochoco National Forest will invest about $35,000 to protect the fragile habitat around the Lower Whychus Creek Crossing. The creek, which runs near Sisters and joins the Deschutes River about 10 miles south of Lake Billy Chinook, is popular destination for campers and day trippers.

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The Crooked River Watershed Council has recently completed two projects that allow fish migrating up the Crooked River to reach their spawning grounds. These are two of many supporting projects helping to restore fish passage in the Deschutes River Basin. PGE and the Tribes, through the Pelton Fund, have contributed a total of $950,000 to these projects.
 

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PGE and the Tribes, through the Pelton Fund, have contributed $200,000 to a major habitat restoration project set to begin this summer on Shitike Creek, which runs through the community of Warm Springs. One of many supporting projects helping to restore fish passage on the Deschutes River, this project will return the creek to its natural meandering channel and provide valuable habitat for returning fish to spawn.

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The completion of the underwater tower near the Round Butte dam has been delayed by at least four months. When crews were assembling the three components of the tower on April 11, segments of the central conduit separated. The lower portion of the conduit fell to the bottom of Lake Billy Chinook.
 
 
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Anticipation is growing as PGE and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs enter the final phases of constructing the underwater tower that will restore fish passage on the Deschutes River.

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A fishing guide asked whether the river water downstream of the underwater tower (officially known as the Selective Water Withdrawal tower) would become warmer or cooler when the fish passage system is operational. Here’s my answer:

 
 
 

Our April 28, 2008, blog entry described an experiment designed to see if feeding the young fry for 10 days before release increased their survival. To tell the two groups apart, Megan Hill, our lead studies biologist, experimentally marked the fed half with the chemical called “calcein.” The chemical is taken into bony parts of the small fish and shows up yellow under a special light. Read the rest of this entry »

 

In February 2008, biologists and volunteer released approximately 150,000 spring Chinook fry into the upper MetoliusRiver Basin. (See March 17, 2008, blog entry). The fish were released in small groups along the shoreline, in quiet areas with hiding cover, where small salmon fry normally rear. Read the rest of this entry »

I received a comment on the blog last week from Bob MacRostie, the retired manager of the Deschutes Valley Water District that supplies drinking water to the Culver-Madras area. He wished us success but was was wondering just how effective this project was likely to be at restoring fish runs above the dams.

We are also hoping for the best with new Selective Water Withdrawal Project. Before the original Pelton Round Butte Project was constructed, there were runs totaling hundreds… Read the rest of this entry »