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PacifiCorp announced an agreement had been reached, at which point they applied to FERC for approval. The plan called for dam removal to begin in 2006 and capped PacifiCorp's liability at $ 17.5 million. In 2005, they applied for an operating extension to 2008, to earn another $ 3.3 million to help offset the cost of dam removal. The main parties involved in negotiations were federal regulatory bodies such as the
279:
reservoir was drawn down. A single turbine operated during low electrical demand hours while the reservoir refilled. A similar cycle was used when inflow was less than enough for a single turbine. A weekly cycle was superimposed on the daily cycle that tended to draw down the reservoir during the week and allowed it refill during the weekend. In these cases, known as load factoring, the plant operated as a
20:
572:, it will be a negative influence for two years, after which it will be a positive influence due to improved ecosystem nutrition. Also, a new sand bar is expected to form at the mouth of the White Salmon River, interfering with Native American fishing rights, for which PacifiCorp will pay a settlement.
530:
that proposed installation of a state-of-the-art fish passage system as conditions for license renewal. The enhancements were to include fish ladders to allow upstream migrations of spawning salmon, and other modifications of the dam and operating procedures to allow a 95% survival rate of downstream
555:
PacifiCorp's decommissioning plan differed from FERC's decommissioning proposal in how the sediment behind the dam is treated. FERC's plan was to dredge or bypass the sediment while PacifiCorp's plan used the demolition of the dam to quickly flush as much sediment as possible, thereby minimizing the
303:
In
December 2005, PacifiCorp filed an appeal of FERC's 1991 license rejection under the Bush administration's 2005 energy bill, which allows power producers to challenge licensing requirements retroactively. PacifiCorp explained the appeal as a backup plan in case decommissioning application failed.
299:
According to
Federal Power Act of 1920, hydropower producers are periodically required to apply for license renewal from FERC. Condit's license was last reviewed in 1991, when it failed approval, and expired in 1993. From 1993 until 2011, PacifiCorp operated the plant under annual license extensions
538:
The investment needed to comply with the new requirements was estimated at $ 30 to $ 50 million, while at the same time reducing the amount of water available for power production. PacifiCorp decided the project was no longer economically viable, and began negotiations for decommissioning. In 1999,
611:
Most environmental groups involved with the decommissioning plan, as well as the
National Forest Service, believed that the long-term benefits of removing the dam far outweighed the short-term damage done by flushed sedimentation. Some fish and environmental advocates see this case as an important
592:
calculated that purchasing and upgrading as required by FERC would have led to power production at $ 64 per MWh, and that for the project to be economically viable, it would have to have produced power at $ 45 to $ 50 per MWh. The report further stated that power produced at Condit would have been
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County governments. Objections revolved around the loss of lake-front property and water recreation, loss of wetlands and water habitat, and a perception that PacifiCorp was choosing the cheapest way to abandon the project, rather than paying for FERC's preferred solution (a fish passage system),
559:
Breaching the dam involved cutting a 12 x 18 x 100-foot (30 m) tunnel in its base; the final 15 feet (4.6 m) was drilled and blasted. A dredge removed woody sediment from the dam's inside face, and when breached, the reservoir was expected to drain within six hours, but actually drained
278:
When river flow was not quite enough for two turbines, operation was cycled between running one and both turbines, based on a daily reservoir draw-down and refill cycle. The cycling was timed to meet peak electrical demands; both turbines operated during hours of high electrical demand and the
596:
In July 2006, KPUD and
Skamania County announced a new effort to acquire the project from PacifiCorp and preserve the dam. Their plan relied on trucking spawning salmon around the dam as a less expensive alternative to fish ladders. This type of proposal was previously rejected by FERC.
560:
much faster, in only about 30 minutes. The rest of the dam was cut into blocks and removed for disposal or recycling on-site. As of the date of demolition, Condit dam was the largest dam ever removed for environmental reasons and the largest dam ever removed in the United States.
222:
In 1996, the federal government ordered PacifiCorp to alter the dam and add fish ladders to meet environmental codes. PacifiCorp deemed the modifications too expensive, and asked to decommission the dam, instead. The project operated under annual license extensions until the
215:, which were twice destroyed by floods shortly after the dam's completion. The Washington State Fisheries Department then required Northwestern Electric to participate in a fish hatchery instead of rebuilding the fish ladders. This ended natural
563:
The quick drainage of the reservoir flushed a large amount of sediment quickly, helping to create a new river channel above the dam. The remaining sediment will continue to erode until vegetation takes root. The sediment plume will harm the
259:, which was designed to fail catastrophically as a safety relief when flow exceeds 18000 ft³/s (510 m³/s). The river averages 1125 ft³/s (32 m³/s), with flows up to 3500 ft³/s (99 m³/s) being fairly common.
627:
588:
The
Klickitat Public Utility District Board of Commissioners investigated acquiring the project from Pacificorp to continue its operation as a power plant. A 2002 study commissioned from
1111:
267:
The two turbines could use a maximum of 1,400 ft³/s (40 m³/s) and operate efficiently with as little as 1,100 ft³/s (31 m³/s). In this flow range, the plant operated as a
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for electrical power generation and returned to the river about a mile downstream. Additional flow beyond what the turbines could use was discharged through five
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requirements. FERC's report also reviewed options to decommissioning the project, which it estimated would cost twice as much as the fish passage system.
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230:
At the time, it was the largest U.S. dam to be removed. The Elwha
Ecosystem Restoration Project on the Olympic Peninsula has since removed the larger
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127:
in 1913. During the construction, all 242 workers at the project went on strike and voted unanimously for the strike to be managed by the
880:
247:
Condit Dam was required to discharge at least 15 ft³/s (0.4 m³/s) to keep the river channel viable. Surplus water was used by the
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152:
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131:. Their demands were 25-cent per day pay raise, better food and accommodations, and an end to discrimination against the workers.
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and generators produced electrical power, and the exhausted water rejoined the river about a mile downstream of the dam.
146:
customers via a power line across the
Columbia River. The project was acquired in 1947 by its current owner, PacifiCorp.
540:
532:
772:
Supplemental, Final
Environmental Impact Statement, Condit Hydroelectric Project, Washington, FERC Project No. 2342
128:
101:
96:. Condit Dam is about 3.3 miles (5.3 km) upstream of the confluence. The area below the dam is part of the
806:
Final
Environmental Impact Statement, Condit Hydroelectric Project, Skamania and Klickitat Counties, Washington
600:
The sediment plume was expected to kill some aquatic life below the dam and displace fish as far downstream as
527:
283:. This mode of operation was greatly reduced through the 1980s and 1990s to appease lakefront cabin owners.
181:
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53:
1019:
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tribal governments with interests in the area, and a number of local and national environmental groups.
649:
89:
227:(FERC) approved decommissioning. The dam was breached at noon (Pacific Time) on October 26, 2011.
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35:
52:
on
October 26, 2011. Condit Dam was the largest dam ever removed in the United States until the
38:. It was completed in 1913 to provide electrical power for local industry, and is listed in the
875:
1131:
981:
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system. The area is famous for its natural environment and recreational activities such as
97:
123:
The Condit Hydroelectric Project, named after its lead engineer B.C. Condit, was built by
8:
695:
675:
653:
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837:
Memorandum of Agreement Modifying the Condit Hydroelectric Project Settlement Agreement
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31:
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more expensive than a gas-fired plant for more than 20 years after its acquisition.
718:, An overview of the Condit Hydroelectric project and its proposed decommissioning
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project. Inflow equaled outflow, and both turbines operated continuously to supply
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858:
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2 x 9 ft (2.7 m) dia x 650 ft (200 m), steel and wood stave
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decommissioned the project due to rising environmental costs, and the dam was
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13.5 ft (4.1 m) dia, 5,100 ft (1,600 m) long, wood stave
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793:"Endangered Species Act Consultation Condit Hydroelectric Project, (P-2342)"
995:
361:
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252:
823:
Condit Hydroelectric Project, The Relicensing Process and Decommissioning
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After PacifiCorp's license application failed in 1993, FERC prepared an
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and two sluice gates. The dam crest had a pneumatically actuated hinged
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897:"Engineer's report shows Condit Dam not viable power resource for PUD"
100:
National Scenic Area, while parts of the river upstream belong to the
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112:. Impoundment of the river in 1911 removed 33 miles (53 km) of
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630:, citing AP and KGW. Retrieved from MSNBC website 26 October 2011.
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amount of time the sediment plume harmed downstream aquatic life.
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109:
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Hole blasted in Condit Dam to restore endangered fish habitat
19:
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while it sought approval from FERC for the decommissioning.
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precedent for dam removals to restore free-flowing rivers.
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which some believed was the best solution for all parties.
317:
1051:
The White Salmon River Runs Free: Breaching the Condit Dam
877:
Environmental Jewel to be Sacrificed to 'Dam Removal God'
732:
Condit Settlement Agreement, Explanatory Statement (1999)
604:. It could also harm several generations of a threatened
482:
134:
Once complete, electricity was primarily supplied to the
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Buildings and structures in Klickitat County, Washington
839:, Includes current list of parties to the negotiations,
334:, 471 feet (144 m) long, 125 feet (38 m) high
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Buildings and structures in Skamania County, Washington
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Opposition to the dam removal came from Klickitat and
237:
804:
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (October 1996),
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704:. Vol. 4, no. 14. 27 June 1912. p. 1.
684:. Vol. 4, no. 13. 20 June 1912. p. 1.
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770:Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (June 2002),
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531:migrating salmon. These conditions were based on
441:peaking or baseload, depending on available flow
1102:Hydroelectric power plants in Washington (state)
1093:
1030:Links to official Documents hosted by PacifiCorp
936:
889:
845:
740:
204:; and the powerhouse. Two horizontally mounted
633:
478:Average annual energy production (1936–1989)
457:1,300 acre⋅ft (1.6 million m)
42:as an engineering and architecture landmark.
1142:2011 disestablishments in Washington (state)
688:
668:
465:665 acre⋅ft (820 thousand m)
1147:Buildings and structures demolished in 2011
676:"Construction Strike at White Salmon, Wash"
1137:1913 establishments in Washington (state)
787:
785:
783:
404:concrete lined, 350 ft (110 m)
748:"PacifiCorp appeals old ruling on dam"
505:Annual value of power at consumer rates
290:
88:-fed river originating on the slopes of
75:
18:
1122:Energy infrastructure completed in 1913
921:"Klickitat PUD seeks to buy Condit Dam"
829:
814:
798:
724:
446:Normal lake maximum elevation above SL
80:Map of the Condit Hydroelectric Project
71:
16:Former dam in Washington, United States
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947:"PacifiCorp appeals old ruling on dam"
780:
708:
550:
764:
192:pipeline that transported water to a
149:The facility consisted of Condit Dam
116:habitat and 14 miles (23 km) of
895:Burkhardt, Jesse (4 December 2002),
868:
852:"Condit Dam's life extended 2 years"
473:92 acres (370 thousand m)
225:Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
40:National Register of Historic Places
746:Durbin, Kathie (27 December 2005),
420:Maximum turbine hydraulic capacity
262:
238:Plant operations and specifications
13:
945:Durbine, Kathy (22 October 2005).
874:White Salmon Conservation League,
791:Berg, Ken S. (6 September 2002),
639:
516:
462:Useful reservoir storage capacity
14:
1158:
1040:Condit Dam - There was a dam here
965:
696:"I.W.W. Must Win at White Salmon"
541:National Marine Fisheries Service
533:National Marine Fisheries Service
521:
1035:Restoring the White Salmon River
1002:
988:
974:
795:, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
142:, and surplus power was sold to
1127:Gifford Pinchot National Forest
1046:Video of dam history and breach
919:Durbine, Kathy (20 July 2006).
350:30,000 cubic yards (23,000 m³)
347:Concrete used for construction
129:Industrial Workers of the World
102:National Wild and Scenic Rivers
835:PacifiCorp(25 February 2005),
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575:
528:environmental impact statement
136:Crown Willamette Paper Company
1:
615:
242:
125:Northwestern Electric Company
568:temporarily; in the case of
433:167.8 ft (51.1 m)
409:Maximum generating capacity
286:
28:Condit Hydroelectric Project
7:
508:$ 4.8 million ($ 0.06/kWh)
54:Elwha Ecosystem Restoration
10:
1163:
1107:Dams in Washington (state)
423:1400 ft³/s (40 m³/s)
219:migration on the river.
30:was a development on the
1053:Documentary produced by
650:University of Washington
368:, one hinged crest gate
234:and Glines Canyon Dams.
211:The original design had
1010:Renewable energy portal
489:Annual operating costs
184:, and its impoundment,
1078:45.76722°N 121.53778°W
497:Annual power benefits
296:
168:45.76722°N 121.53778°W
92:and emptying into the
84:The White Salmon is a
81:
50:intentionally breached
24:
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79:
34:in the U.S. state of
22:
1083:45.76722; -121.53778
1020:USGS map of the area
982:United States portal
716:Condit Hydro Project
173:45.76722; -121.53778
98:Columbia River Gorge
72:Overview and history
1074: /
861:(12 February 2005).
646:IWW History Project
642:"IWW Yearbook 1912"
551:PacifiCorp proposal
454:Reservoir capacity
313:
164: /
60:removed the larger
1055:Oregon Field Guide
952:2006-09-04 at the
926:2007-03-18 at the
910:, White Salmon, WA
902:2006-09-27 at the
883:2007-02-05 at the
857:2006-09-04 at the
753:2006-09-04 at the
342:Mile 3.3 (km 5.3)
309:
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106:whitewater rafting
82:
32:White Salmon River
25:
701:Industrial Worker
681:Industrial Worker
640:Hanley, Michael.
566:aquatic ecosystem
512:
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295:Condit Powerhouse
186:Northwestern Lake
140:Camas, Washington
66:Glines Canyon Dam
58:Olympic Peninsula
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652:. Archived from
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438:Operation modes
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263:Power production
206:Francis turbines
182:Klickitat County
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1042:- Pacific Power
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656:on 2 June 2016
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996:Water portal
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820:PacifiCorp,
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730:PacifiCorp,
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714:PacifiCorp,
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658:. Retrieved
654:the original
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635:
623:
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608:population.
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525:
500:$ 2,896,000
396:2 x Francis
310:
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269:run-of-river
266:
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213:fish ladders
210:
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44:
27:
26:
1132:Former dams
1081: /
1069:121°32′16″W
606:chum salmon
576:Controversy
332:Gravity dam
171: /
159:121°32′16″W
90:Mount Adams
1096:Categories
1066:45°46′02″N
841:1.3 MB Pdf
736:0.7 MB pdf
720:300 kB pdf
616:References
570:bull trout
492:$ 400,000
356:Floodgates
257:crest gate
243:River flow
194:surge tank
156:45°46′02″N
46:PacifiCorp
36:Washington
23:Condit Dam
810:60 MB Pdf
776:10 MB Pdf
590:CH2M Hill
401:Tailrace
382:Penstocks
373:Pipeline
339:Location
328:Dam type
287:Licensing
273:base load
202:penstocks
190:woodstave
120:habitat.
114:steelhead
62:Elwha Dam
950:Archived
924:Archived
900:Archived
881:Archived
855:Archived
751:Archived
660:26 April
582:Skamania
392:Turbines
249:turbines
217:salmonid
198:spillway
144:Portland
481:79,700
362:Tainter
320:number
110:fishing
86:glacier
449:295.2
366:sluice
364:, two
200:; two
118:salmon
412:14.7
360:Five
323:2342
232:Elwha
662:2016
318:FERC
188:; a
108:and
64:and
808:,
483:MWh
180:in
138:in
1098::
938:^
906:,
782:^
774:,
757:,
734:,
698:.
678:.
648:.
644:.
543:,
414:MW
68:.
956:.
930:.
826:.
664:.
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