october 2013 C O W L I T Z CURRENTS A few things inside Collecting young fish Mayfield Dam turns 50 Understanding Mayfield Lake
Collecting young fish in the Upper Cowlitz River Tacoma Power s engineers and biologists, along with our regional partners, are combining different tools to collect the greatest number of juvenile fish possible as they migrate downstream past Cowlitz Falls Dam. The dam is owned by Lewis County Public Utility District. Round em up Some recent steps we ve taken to improve juvenile fish collection include: Installing a new device at the upstream side of Cowlitz Falls Dam to collect juvenile steelhead and coho at the water s surface. Tacoma Power began the engineering design process for a large collector that will be built immediately downstream of the dam. Young fish will be attracted to an entrance near the north shoreline that leads through the dam. Construction is expected to be completed in 2016. Developing concepts for another fish collector that will be located in the river-like section of Riffe Lake between Cowlitz Falls Dam and Taidnapam Park. This collector will capture fish that were not successfully captured upstream at Cowlitz Falls Dam. Testing is expected in summer 2014. A crew of two Tacoma Power employees also collects fish with long nets along Riffe Lake shorelines. 1963 2013 Celebrating 50 years at Mayfield Dam A commitment to clean, renewable hydroelectric power is still going strong after 50 years. The 50-year anniversary of Mayfield Dam and powerhouse takes place this year. The Cowlitz River Project began generating electricity at Mayfield Dam in 1963. Mossyrock Dam was completed in 1968. the Cowlitz River Project provides: Clean, renewable hydropower for 135,000 Northwest homes Fish transportation around the dams, a focus on wild fish recovery and fish for harvest 15,000 acres of wildlife lands Recreational opportunities at campgrounds located on Mayfield and Riffe lakes. We re working with these regional partners on fish collection efforts: Lewis County Public Utility District Bonneville Power Administration Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife National Marine Fisheries Service 2 3 Device to help increase juvenile fish collection. Mossyrock and Mayfield dams: Rock solid We take pride in operating safely at our hydroelectric facilities as we generate clean, renewable electricity. We ensure the safety of the dams through: Regular inspections Studies by independent consultants Analysis by inspectors from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission We also lead exercises, in partnership with local emergency response agencies, to practice scenarios should a problem occur at a dam. These exercises help ensure coordination and identify opportunities to improve emergency response. Learn more about emergency preparation in Lewis County at lewiscountywa.gov/ emergency-preparedness. To register for emergency notifications from Lewis County, visit lewiscountywa.gov/911 or call 360-740-3394. For questions about Tacoma Power s Emergency Action Plan, please call Jayson Lelli at (253) 396-3066. Answers to Cowlitz quiz: 1.d, 2.c, 3.c, 4.b, 5.c, 6.b
we love our dam washing machine OVERHAUL PLANNED FOR MOSSYROCK DAM OVERLOOK Lewis County residents and visitors can expect improvements to the Highway 12 overlook near Mossyrock Dam in 2014. The new overlook will be safer and will provide a better experience. Improvements will include: Sidewalks A vault toilet Interpretive signage Traffic improvements We will keep the popular fishing walkway. Tacoma Power received a National Scenic Byways grant from the Federal Highway Administration to improve the overlook and will contribute approximately $100,000 in matching funds by designing, engineering and permitting the improvements. Learn more about the Scenic Byway at WhitePassByway.com What do Tacoma Power employees do when they can t find the right tool for the job? They invent one. Employees at the Cowlitz River Project invented a remote-controlled machine to pressure wash moss off dams. Before the invention, crews used to suspend a worker over the side of the dam to scrape off moss or pressure wash by hand. Now, this pressure washer moves up, down and across the dam in moss-fighting fashion. Dam washer cleans up This clever dam-washing invention earned a thumbs-up for safety and more efficient cleaning. Tacoma Power won an Outstanding Stewards of America s Waters Award for Operational Excellence from the National Hydropower Association. A Cowlitz Quiz This quiz would challenge even the best of us who work for the Cowlitz River Project. Check to see how much you know. 1. How many 10-cubic-yard dump truck loads of concrete did it take to build Mossyrock Dam? a) 3,800 b) 37,000 c) 85,000 d) 127,000 2. How many 6-inch long salmon and steelhead can be transported at one time by a Tacoma Power fish tank truck? a) 2,500 b) 7,000 c) 9,500 d) 11,000 3. How many miles of shoreline are around Mayfield Lake? a) 13 b) 24 c) 33 d) 62 ONE MORE QUIZ! We have one more test for you to take, if you re willing. We d like to know what you think about this newsletter, Cowlitz Currents. If you like it, we want to know. If you think it can be better, we want to know that, too. The survey will take less than five minutes of your time. This web address will take you to the survey: surveymonkey.com/s/cowlitzcurrents 4. How long are the penstocks that carry water down the hill to the powerhouse near Mayfield Dam? a) 196 feet b) 278 feet c) 375 feet d) 420 feet 5. How many public boat launches are available on Mayfield and Riffe lakes? a) 2 b) 4 c) 7 d) 8 6. What is the temperature range of the water in Mayfield Lake? a) 39 to 56 F b) 43 to 58 F c) 54 to 65 F d) 62 to 84 F Answers on page 3 4 5 clean mossy
Play it safe around water Your life jacket your lifeline Before you float your boat, insist that everyone wears a life jacket. You can t count on grabbing a stowed life jacket if an accident happens. Eight out of 10 people that drowned in recreational boating accidents in 2011 were not wearing a life jacket. All watercraft must have one readily accessible life jacket for each person on board. Children, ages 12 and younger, must wear a life jacket at all times when on a vessel less than 19 feet long. You must also wear a life jacket while water skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding or operating a personal watercraft. Make sure your family is ready to safely play around water by wearing life jackets. Water fun Playing on the water at Mayfield Lake or Riffe Lake can make your day. Don t let distractions get in the way. Stay alert: Be aware of changes in water levels. Watch for stumps and floating debris while boating or recreating. Keep your distance from log booms, dams and other structures. Understanding Mayfield Lake s water level Why does the water level of Mayfield Lake go up and down? As a reservoir that is used to generate power for 57,000 Northwest homes, the level of Mayfield Lake follows a general pattern. Although it sounds backwards, Mayfield Lake s water level: Usually drops at night and on weekends, when power needs are lower Usually rises during the day, when power needs are higher This pattern occurs because water is continuously leaving and entering the lake: Water passes through turbines at Mayfield Dam to keep the Cowlitz River flowing downstream Water passes through turbines upstream at Mossyrock Dam when an increase in power is needed Don t be left high and dry Watch for stumps, rocks and logs that may lie just below water s surface. Use caution when anchoring boats near the shoreline in shallow water. A drop in the reservoir level could leave your boat high and dry. Use safe boating and practices appropriate for fluctuating water levels. The amount of water leaving and entering the lake is decided by carefully balancing a number of factors, including: Maintaining downstream river flows for fish below Mayfield Dam Local and regional power needs The amount of wind power produced in Eastern Washington The need to fill Riffe Lake, which is upstream, in early summer Stay alert The federal license for the Cowlitz River Project requires Tacoma Power to keep Mayfield Lake within 10 feet of full, which is an elevation of 425 feet. MAYFIELD LAKE WATER LEVEL FLUCTUATION ZONE 10 feet Elevation 425 feet (full reservoir highest level) Mayfield Lake may rise or fall daily within the top 10 feet of the reservoir. Elevation 415 feet (lowest level) 6 7
Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Olympia, WA Permit 719 Tacoma Power P.O. Box 11007 Tacoma, WA 98411 ECRWSS tacomapower.com cowlitz@cityoftacoma.org RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER Community Spotlight Gale Bridges dedication to campers spans 25 years Summer after summer, Gale Bridges helps people make memories at Tacoma Power s campgrounds. He loves hearing people say that Mayfield Lake Park is one of the cleanest parks they ve ever visited. My passion is keeping up the campground and day-use area to the highest standards we can, said Gale, who serves as the park supervisor. Gale began his career in campground management by mowing the lawn at Mossyrock Park in 1989. His responsibilities transferred to Mayfield Lake Park in 2002, when Tacoma Power assumed ownership of the park from Lewis County. Gale also enjoys visiting with campers, yet allows them space to enjoy their time at the park. People come here to get away from the hustle and bustle, but I enjoy talking with them when they want to visit, he said. Many folks in East Lewis County know this lifelong resident for his dedication to coaching youth basketball. For 32 years, mostly as a volunteer, Gale coached grade school to varsitylevel teams at Morton and Mossyrock high schools. It s easy to see the impact Gale has made on the community. Former players call him and stop by even after they ve moved away. I really enjoyed working with the kids and watching them grow, he said. If you do it right, it s a year-round, total commitment. Just like the squeaky-clean campground he keeps. Squeaky-clean campground