For More Information Contact:
Lance Robertson, 984-4716 or 954-7509 (cell)
Eugene Water & Electric Board

Power canal shut down to help migrating salmon

EWEB has temporarily shut down its Walterville Powerhouse and Canal to help migrating chinook salmon.

The shutdown puts more water in a four-mile stretch of the McKenzie River during a key migration period for the salmon, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act. The McKenzie is the primary spawning stream for Upper Willamette River spring chinook.

EWEB shut down power generation at the Walterville plant after noticing a larger-than-anticipated number of chinook entering the "tailrace" portion of the canal that flows out of the powerhouse and back into the McKenzie River. EWEB diverts water from the river and through a canal to the powerhouse, where the water spins turbines that generate electricity.

Shutting down the powerhouse means water that would have been diverted into the canal now will remain in the river.

A new fish barrier, built last year as part of EWEB's relicensing of its Walterville and Leaburg power projects, is located in the tailrace below the powerhouse. The decision to scale back flows in the power canal came after EWEB became concerned that too many salmon were entering the canal tailrace and trying to jump the barrier, rather than continuing upstream to spawn in the main stem of the McKenzie.

EWEB also is looking into whether there are any flaws in the barrier's design that may allow some fish to jump over it. Utility officials are consulting with federal fisheries experts to determine if any structural changes need to be made in the barrier.

"We are taking a go-slow, conservative approach to testing" the new fish barrier, said Laurie Power, EWEB's environmental affairs manager. "This is the first chinook migration since the barrier was built, and we want to make sure all is working the way it should."

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