For More Information Contact:
Joe Harwood, 541-685-7471
Eugene Water & Electric Board

July 7, 2011

Mechanical problem forces Walterville offline

A mechanical problem in the Walterville Powerhouse forced the Eugene Water & Electric Board to take the unit offline late Wednesday night. The generation unit will remain offline at least through July 11 while crews investigate and repair the problem. Depending upon the severity of the issue, the turbine could remain shut down for several weeks.

Because the turbine is offline, EWEB generation crews overnight and into Thursday morning slowly decreased the diversion rate of McKenzie River water into the Walterville Power Canal by about 1,000 cfs. Through the day on Thursday, crews will continue to ramp down the diversion by about another 500 cfs, which will add a total of about 1,500 cfs into the main branch of the river.

EWEB will maintain a volume of about 1,000 cfs in the canal to protect resident fish species and other aquatic life, as well as to maintain adequate flow for irrigators.