FPC Documents Web - SORs Responses

Action agency responses to Current Year SORS

SOR # Response

07-07
Partially Implemented Specifications:
Provide Outflows from Libby and Hungry Horse dams over July and August as estimated in the last (6-26-07) STP to draft these reservoirs to 20 feet below their full pool elevations by August 31, followed by a gradual ramp down of flow through the first week of September. The current STP estimates an outflow from Libby of 17.4 Kcfs while drafting to elevation 2439 feet (20 feet from full) and outflows of 4.4 Kcfs from Hungry Horse while drafting to elevation 3540 feet (20 feet from full). If near term COE water forecast and flow predictions show that these recommended outflow levels will leave these reservoirs above the 20-foot draft level by the end of August, we request that the volume of water predicted to be left in the reservoirs above the 20-foot draft level by August 31, be provided from other storage water releases, such as from Canadian sources, in the July-August migration period. Should Non-Treaty water become available for flow augmentation later in the summer, these recommended releases from Libby and Hungry Horse can be modified to reflect the change in water availability such as was accomplished in 2006.

Details:
This issue was raised to the IT and Federal Executive levels- where it was decided to implement the default BiOp operation which is a 20 ft draft from both Hungry Horse and Libby. Therefore, it was ultimately decided to implement this SOR. However, although Libby was drafted to elevation 2439.1 feet by August 31st, Hungry Horse only drafted to elevation 3542.4 feet (2.4 feet above the 20ft BiOp level).

07-06
Partially Implemented Specifications:
Increase spill to the amounts specified in the Court's Order when TDG levels decrease below the criteria.

Details:
The COE agreed to do their best to spill as close to the gas caps as possible and will speed up response time whenever possible. However, several projects still had delayed response. John Day failed to spill 60% during the night-time hours throughout mid-late May, despite no exceedences between May 15 and May 22 for this site. Bonneville failed to spill 100Kcfs (24-hours) from May 8 to May 16, despite no exceedences during this time. Furthermore, Bonneville failed to spill 100 Kcfs from May 18-23, despite no exceedences during this time.

07-05
Implemented Specifications:
1. The Salmon Managers requested the Action Agencies to operate the units at Bonneville Second Powerhouse equipped with gap closure devices, at the low end of the 1% efficiency range. This operation should be implemented beginning at 0001 hours on May 2 and continue for 72 hours, or longer, if the majority (95%) of Spring Creek Hatchery fish continue to pass the project.
2. If mortality rates in the sample at any time meet, or exceed 2%, spill should be increased from the 100 Kcfs to the level of the gas cap spill.

Details:
The Action Agencies decided to implement the SOR and operate those units in powerhouse two with modified gap closure devices at the lower end of 1%. The Action Agencies started the operation at 1201 hours on May 2 and on May 4 the USFWS requested that the operation continue past the planned 72 hours for additional 8-hours as described in the SOR. The COE agreed to extend the operation to ensure that 95% of the Spring Creek hatchery fish passed the project.

07-04
Partially Implemented Specifications:
The Salmon Managers urged the Action Agencies to approach the present operation of Dworshak Dam (increased outflows) with caution to assure that the April 10th shifted Flood Control elevation is met. Outflows may have to be altered to reach the April 10th URC.

Details:
The shifted April 10th FC elevation at Dworshak Dam was 1567.8 feet- on April 10th Dworshak ended the day at elevation 1568.2 feet, slightly above the April 10th FC elevation. It should be pointed out that Dworshak had to refill 7.5 feet and reduce outflows to 2.3 Kcfs over the first part of April to reach this elevation.

07-03
Not Implemented Specifications:
Beginning immediately, spill at Bonneville Dam to provide an alternate route of passage from the bypass system in order to spread-the risk at the project. Continue the spill operation until the Bonneville Dam bypass system has been eliminated as a source of the recent increased mortality rates for listed Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery subyearling fall chinook. Spill a minimum of 85 Kcfs at Bonneville Dam, using a minimum 2-foot spill gate opening at each spillbay. Continue until 95% of the Spring Creek hatchery releases have passed, likely this will occur by Wednesday morning March 14, 2007.

Details:
TMT recommended spill of 85 Kcfs and operate the corner collector to spread the risk as stated in the SOR. However, information provided by NOAA-F during the TMT call resulted in the Corps continuing with the existing operation of the corner collector only, with no spill. TMT agreed to continue with the monitoring of fish mortalities at the Juvenile Monitoring Facility (JMF) and in the event of increases in mortalities at the JMF; reconvene a TMT meeting as soon as needed and discuss the SOR.
07-02
Not Implemented Specifications:
The Salmon Managers requested the following fishery operations at the Bonneville Project:
1. Operation of the Corner Collector for four days beginning one-day following either one of the releases of coded wire tagged (CWT) tule fall Chinook from Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery (Spring Creek NFH), scheduled for March 5 and March 9, 2007;
2. Spill at 75 kcfs beginning one-day following either one of the releases of coded wire tagged tule fall Chinook from Spring Creek NFH scheduled for March 5 and March 9. Alternatively, operate with 75 kcfs of spill plus the corner collector for four days following either one of the releases from Spring Creek NFH.

Details:
TMT could not resolve this request, so it was sent to the IT level where the IT decided to operate the corner collector at Bonneville Dam with no spill.
07-01
Implemented Specifications:
Operate Grand Coulee Dam conservatively to better assure the ability to try and maintain the minimum 13.0-foot tailwater elevation below Bonneville Dam through chum salmon emergence, Vernita Bar flows, and to assure reaching the April 10 upper rule curve.

Details:
Grand Coulee was very near its April 10th shifted FC of 1259.2 feet, GCL was at 1259.6 feet on April 10th. Bonneville tailwater was maintained above 13.0 feet for 97.3% of hours between February 1st and April 10th.

More about System Operational Requests...

System Operational Requests (SORs) are drafted and presented to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) by the Salmon Managers. The Salmon Managers are state, federal and tribal entities with legally recognized mandates and jurisdictions to manage salmon resources in the Columbia River Basin. SORs are submitted in response to river, or project-specific operations and are intended to provide both juvenile and adult salmon with the most conducive migration conditions and survival opportunities possible.

The Fish Passage Center also posts System Operational Requests from Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Contact CRITFC at 503-238-0667. The SORs are in PDF Format, you will need Acrobat Reader 4.0 or later to read them.

Note: Click the statement or question to open and close.

Page last updated on: January 14, 2008

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SOR #	Response
07-07 Partially Implemented	Specifications: Provide Outflows from Libby and Hungry Horse dams over July and August as estimated in the last (6-26-07) STP to draft these reservoirs to 20 feet below their full pool elevations by August 31, followed by a gradual ramp down of flow through the first week of September. The current STP estimates an outflow from Libby of 17.4 Kcfs while drafting to elevation 2439 feet (20 feet from full) and outflows of 4.4 Kcfs from Hungry Horse while drafting to elevation 3540 feet (20 feet from full). If near term COE water forecast and flow predictions show that these recommended outflow levels will leave these reservoirs above the 20-foot draft level by the end of August, we request that the volume of water predicted to be left in the reservoirs above the 20-foot draft level by August 31, be provided from other storage water releases, such as from Canadian sources, in the July-August migration period. Should Non-Treaty water become available for flow augmentation later in the summer, these recommended releases from Libby and Hungry Horse can be modified to reflect the change in water availability such as was accomplished in 2006. Details: This issue was raised to the IT and Federal Executive levels- where it was decided to implement the default BiOp operation which is a 20 ft draft from both Hungry Horse and Libby. Therefore, it was ultimately decided to implement this SOR. However, although Libby was drafted to elevation 2439.1 feet by August 31st, Hungry Horse only drafted to elevation 3542.4 feet (2.4 feet above the 20ft BiOp level).
07-06 Partially Implemented	Specifications: Increase spill to the amounts specified in the Court's Order when TDG levels decrease below the criteria. Details: The COE agreed to do their best to spill as close to the gas caps as possible and will speed up response time whenever possible. However, several projects still had delayed response. John Day failed to spill 60% during the night-time hours throughout mid-late May, despite no exceedences between May 15 and May 22 for this site. Bonneville failed to spill 100Kcfs (24-hours) from May 8 to May 16, despite no exceedences during this time. Furthermore, Bonneville failed to spill 100 Kcfs from May 18-23, despite no exceedences during this time.
07-05 Implemented	Specifications: 1. The Salmon Managers requested the Action Agencies to operate the units at Bonneville Second Powerhouse equipped with gap closure devices, at the low end of the 1% efficiency range. This operation should be implemented beginning at 0001 hours on May 2 and continue for 72 hours, or longer, if the majority (95%) of Spring Creek Hatchery fish continue to pass the project. 2. If mortality rates in the sample at any time meet, or exceed 2%, spill should be increased from the 100 Kcfs to the level of the gas cap spill. Details: The Action Agencies decided to implement the SOR and operate those units in powerhouse two with modified gap closure devices at the lower end of 1%. The Action Agencies started the operation at 1201 hours on May 2 and on May 4 the USFWS requested that the operation continue past the planned 72 hours for additional 8-hours as described in the SOR. The COE agreed to extend the operation to ensure that 95% of the Spring Creek hatchery fish passed the project.
07-04 Partially Implemented	Specifications: The Salmon Managers urged the Action Agencies to approach the present operation of Dworshak Dam (increased outflows) with caution to assure that the April 10th shifted Flood Control elevation is met. Outflows may have to be altered to reach the April 10th URC. Details: The shifted April 10th FC elevation at Dworshak Dam was 1567.8 feet- on April 10th Dworshak ended the day at elevation 1568.2 feet, slightly above the April 10th FC elevation. It should be pointed out that Dworshak had to refill 7.5 feet and reduce outflows to 2.3 Kcfs over the first part of April to reach this elevation.
07-03 Not Implemented	Specifications: Beginning immediately, spill at Bonneville Dam to provide an alternate route of passage from the bypass system in order to spread-the risk at the project. Continue the spill operation until the Bonneville Dam bypass system has been eliminated as a source of the recent increased mortality rates for listed Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery subyearling fall chinook. Spill a minimum of 85 Kcfs at Bonneville Dam, using a minimum 2-foot spill gate opening at each spillbay. Continue until 95% of the Spring Creek hatchery releases have passed, likely this will occur by Wednesday morning March 14, 2007. Details: TMT recommended spill of 85 Kcfs and operate the corner collector to spread the risk as stated in the SOR. However, information provided by NOAA-F during the TMT call resulted in the Corps continuing with the existing operation of the corner collector only, with no spill. TMT agreed to continue with the monitoring of fish mortalities at the Juvenile Monitoring Facility (JMF) and in the event of increases in mortalities at the JMF; reconvene a TMT meeting as soon as needed and discuss the SOR.
07-02 Not Implemented	Specifications: The Salmon Managers requested the following fishery operations at the Bonneville Project: 1. Operation of the Corner Collector for four days beginning one-day following either one of the releases of coded wire tagged (CWT) tule fall Chinook from Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery (Spring Creek NFH), scheduled for March 5 and March 9, 2007; 2. Spill at 75 kcfs beginning one-day following either one of the releases of coded wire tagged tule fall Chinook from Spring Creek NFH scheduled for March 5 and March 9. Alternatively, operate with 75 kcfs of spill plus the corner collector for four days following either one of the releases from Spring Creek NFH. Details: TMT could not resolve this request, so it was sent to the IT level where the IT decided to operate the corner collector at Bonneville Dam with no spill.
07-01 Implemented	Specifications: Operate Grand Coulee Dam conservatively to better assure the ability to try and maintain the minimum 13.0-foot tailwater elevation below Bonneville Dam through chum salmon emergence, Vernita Bar flows, and to assure reaching the April 10 upper rule curve. Details: Grand Coulee was very near its April 10th shifted FC of 1259.2 feet, GCL was at 1259.6 feet on April 10th. Bonneville tailwater was maintained above 13.0 feet for 97.3% of hours between February 1st and April 10th.