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Mar 10 , 2010
“ Columbia Country,” which airs Sunday afternoons on Fox stations throughout the northwest, is featuring two Avista projects as part of its “Safekeeping” segments. “Safekeeping” is a sponsored segment that highlights environmental activities, often focusing on efforts to protect and enhance fish habitat.
The Clark Fork Project segment features an ongoing collaborative project on Lake Pend Oreille to reduce the population of invasive lake trout. Lake Pend Oreille was once a world-class fishery for rainbow trout, bull trout and kokanee. In recent years, the lake has been taken over by lake trout (also called mackinaw), which do not coexist well with native bull trout, and which prey on kokanee, depleting the food sources for rainbow and bull trout. This project offers angler incentives and brings in commercial netters to “fish out” the invasive lake trout.
Avista helps fund the Lake Pend Oreille project through our Clark Fork Project license, which includes Noxon Rapids Dam in Montana and Cabinet Gorge Dam in northern Idaho.
The Spokane segment features a new rainbow trout spawning study on the Spokane River, part of our new 50-year operating license for the five hydroelectric developments that make up Avista’s Spokane River Project. The spawning study is part of a ten-year collaboration with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to better understand the relationship between river flow and the rainbow trout population and their spawning habitat from Monroe Street Dam downstream to Nine Mile Dam.
A similar project has been in effect for several years in the Upper Spokane River, and we hope this project will help us better understand how managing river flows affects water levels in Lake Coeur d’Alene and habitat for rainbow trout downstream. By doing so, we hope to ultimately encourage growth of the rainbow trout population in the Spokane River.
Both of these projects show how Avista works with others to care for the natural resources affected by our projects. They are great examples of how we make our commitment to environment part of our daily operations throughout Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
Jan 25 , 2010
If you had a chance to visit downtown Spokane over the last few weeks, you might have caught a glimpse of Avista’s Post Street Substation, decked out in red, white and blue in honor of the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Most people refer to his building as the Washington Water Power building near the falls, which is a fine identifier really, given the big green words on the roof. Interestingly enough, the building is a working Avista substation that helps deliver clean, renewable hydroelectric juice to downtown Spokane.
Local photographer John D. Moore, who seems to have a knack for capturing the beauty of Spokane when the lights go out, grabbed a few shots of the WWP building that turned out great. I caught his photos on his blog, http://spokanescenes.blogspot.com/.
Moore graciously allowed us to share his photos here and then told me though e-mail, “In my view, we live in a beautiful place and if I can make a few people envious...then I'll feel good about that.”
He’s right.
Jan 20 , 2010
Yesterday marked the end of an 80-year era for Avista, with the release of wooden flashboards at our Nine Mile Falls Dam on the Spokane River. Watch the two-minute video to see what it looked like to release the flashboards.
In 1928 Avista began installing the five-foot high, hand-built flashboards at the top of the face of the dam, extending the normal dam height to 63 feet (without the flash boards its 58 feet). Later, the flashboard height was doubled to a total height of 10 feet. Flashboards are installed annually in four sections: two upper and two lower. Yesterday we released the two upper sections, and we’ll release the remaining sections later this spring, for the final time.
The flashboards, constructed with sheets of plywood and solid wood beams, allow operators to hold back more water in the forebay for power generation when river levels are lower. They are installed each summer and removed in late winter or early spring, as river levels begin to rise again.
Beginning this summer, Avista will replace the wooden flashboards at Nine Mile with an automated spillway that will give operators the ability to raise and lower the height of the spillway as needed. This new spillway, required under our FERC Spokane River Project license, will allow us to maintain the reservoir pool at a more constant level throughout the entire year, partly because it eliminates the need to lower the reservoir each summer to install flashboards.
Just a reminder – if you’re out on the river for any reason, be careful. High river levels, run-off from recent storms and the flashboard release have resulted in extra debris in the water, especially downstream from Nine Mile Dam. The video shows a few rather large trees and other items floating down the river.
Nov 10 , 2009 The Q’emiln Park boat launch ramp on the Spokane River in Post Falls, Idaho will be closed for the season beginning Friday, Nov. 13. The ramp, located upstream of Avista Utilities’ Post Falls Hydroelectric Development, is typically closed each year in mid-November due to weather conditions and dropping water levels.
The boat launch must remain closed for safety reasons whenever water is spilled through gates at the Post Falls Dam, which can be the case for much of the fall through spring. The ramp will re-open in the late spring or early summer, depending on the amount of inflows into Coeur d’Alene Lake
As a result of Avista’s annual drawdown of Coeur d’Alene Lake, Spokane River levels above the dam will be approximately three feet below summer elevation on Nov.13. Water levels may drop by as much as five additional feet by the end of January. These water levels are subject to change due to weather conditions.
Avista has a 24-hour telephone information line that provides notification of anticipated elevation changes on Coeur d’Alene Lake, Lake Spokane and the Spokane River during the subsequent 24-hour and one-week periods. In Idaho, call (208) 769-1357; in Washington call (509) 495-8043.
Oct 30 , 2009
Oftentimes a hydro dam looks like a block of earth and cement, just holding back water. Not much happening, right? Well, peel back the layers and you’ll find an incredibly high-tech operation that is constantly in motion.
As Avista’s largest single generation facility, the Noxon Rapids Dam in Montana is an impressive structure that has been in operation more than 50 years. But just like your house, after 50 years, it’s due for some upgrades.
One of the upgrades currently underway is the replacement of the turbine runner for Unit 3 in the dam. The dam’s five units are capable of producing as much as 548 megawatts of clean, renewable electricity. Unit 3 generates about 100 megawatts of electricity by itself.
On Wednesday, Oct. 28 I was at the dam and produced a video about the removal of the turbine runner – the massive section of the unit that is spun by water. Avista Electric Foreman Howard Johnson actually let me go inside the penstock (well-supervised) to see the final preparations for the removal of the turbine.
The penstock is normally filled with rushing water that slams into the turbine. It was a little creepy climbing through the tiny porthole to get in – I’m not shy about saying that. But today the penstock was filled with workers getting the turbine ready for removal and prepped for its replacement. The new turbine, which should be in around March will produce more electricity than its predecessor – saving customers money.
Upgrading our electric system isn’t just about power lines or the things you see every day, it’s also where the power comes from, like hydro dams. Most people don’t get to see work like this, so I produced this video to show the final prep work and removal of the Unit 3’s turbine.
The video shows some of the damage and maintenance on the turbine over the last 50 years and why a new one is prudent. Check out the video.
So the next time I write something about upgrading our system, think about this massive 250,000-pound turbine being lifted across the deck of the dam all in the name of producing hydro electricity better and cheaper for customers.
Oct 19 , 2009
This notice, re-published below, was just sent to local media concerning the accidental release of a lightweight lubricating oil at Upper Falls last night.
Spokane, Wash. Oct. 19, 2009: Avista is working with the Washington Department of Ecology to assess and manage the accidental release of a lightweight lubricating oil at its Upper Falls Hydroelectric Development on the Spokane River.
The spill was discovered at about 7:30 this morning after operators at the powerhouse found an auxiliary bearing pump seal had failed during the night. Avista immediately implemented emergency spill procedures and began working with the appropriate agencies to begin clean-up measures as quickly as possible.
Initial estimates are that 50-100 gallons of the oil leaked inside the powerhouse building before it was discovered. Nearly all of the oil appears to have been contained within the powerhouse; however there is a small visible oil sheen on the river next to the powerhouse. Avista and Ecology have deployed a boom and that area is contained. They are now in the process of assessing whether any oil has traveled downstream.
The oil does not contain PCBs. Avista is not aware of any immediate threat to wildlife or aquatic life, and believes the spill does not pose a long-term threat to the health of the river. Avista will continue working with Ecology to mitigate any environmental impacts and will follow up to ensure that there are no lasting impacts to the environment.
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the company’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts. Such statements speak only as of the date of the news release and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, in addition to those discussed herein, all of the factors discussed in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008, and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.
Oct 02 , 2009
Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of attending the rededication of the Noxon Rapids Dam in Montana – 50 years after it first started cranking out renewable hydroelectric power. The dam is an important piece of Avista’s electric generation – providing 548.4 megawatts. That’s enough power for about 411,000 homes for comparison sake.
But the ceremony was more than what the power provided means. It was about Sanders County and its people. The dam certainly changed the face of the county half a century ago. It brought jobs, schools, a doubling of the population and it undeniably changed the environment on the Clark Fork River. This is why the Clark Fork Settlement Agreement was also celebrated yesterday. About 10 years ago, the agreement was signed for managing and protecting the natural resources associated with the hydro project.
As many speakers noted during the day, the settlement agreement wasn’t easy. It was really the first of its kind to bring in multiple stakeholders as a team to figure out what’s best for the surrounding environment. The money that is usually spent on lawyers and litigation during the long relicensing of dams, could now be spent on the work needed to be done to help mitigate any environmental impacts.
It took trust and faith that Avista would follow through on its promises. Looking back 10 years later, the agreement is a standout success, as speakers from environmental groups, local tribes and government agencies attested. It’s a living relicense that is monitored constantly – the work continues today. You can learn more about the agreement here.
Not to get “all touchy feely,” but yesterday really made me proud of my company and co-workers. It was a great day.
Sep 22 , 2009 “We’ve Made History Together!” This isn’t just a teaser on publicity materials for the anniversary celebration of Noxon Rapids Dam and the Clark Fork Settlement Agreement, it’s a true statement. Avista has been providing energy to people and been part of the communities in the Inland Northwest since 1889. And the 50th anniversary of the first power generated at Noxon Rapids provides another opportunity to reflect on that history – a history marked by foresight, community outreach and working with others to protect the environment.
A new brochure that was distributed in Sanders County, Mont. and will be distributed to attendees of the anniversary celebration honors the history of Avista on the Clark Fork with the story of Noxon Rapids, a story of community growth, environmental stewardship, and relationship building over the past half century. Check out the brochure.
The Noxon Rapids 50th/Clark Fork Settlement Agreement 10th Anniversary celebration will be held in Noxon, Mont., Oct. 1. The public celebration, which will include a free community picnic, live band and tours of Noxon Rapids, begins at 3 p.m. at Pilgrim Creek Park, and is open to the public, Avista employees, contract employees and retirees.
Sep 10 , 2009
Avista’s two largest hydroelectric dams are located on the Clark Fork River in Idaho and Montana. The Clark Fork Hydroelectric Project consists of Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids dams, and produces about 80 percent of Avista’s hydro power and half of our total power. As of this year, the project has been providing clean, renewable electricity to customers for a half-century.
This year marks two big milestones for the project – the 50th anniversary of the first power generated at Noxon Rapids Dam, and the 10th anniversary of the Clark Fork Settlement Agreement.
A little history
Avista, then Washington Water Power, began construction of Noxon Rapids Dam in 1956, after completing Cabinet Gorge a few miles downstream in 1953. The construction of Noxon Rapids was a boon to the economy of Sanders County, Montana, and the surrounding area, and Noxon Rapids began generating its first power on July 7, 1959. A dedication ceremony in 1960 drew a crowd of thousands to the tiny community of Noxon, Montana.
The Clark Fork Settlement Agreement, a multi-stakeholder agreement about how to manage and protect the natural resources of the area, was signed in 1999 after several years of collaboration, and resulted in the Clark Fork Project license. This single license to operate both Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids took effect March 1, 2001, in an unprecedented issuance of the license by FERC a year before the existing Cabinet Gorge license expired.
Let’s celebrate
We’ve been marking these milestones throughout the year with a variety of activities, and over the next few weeks the commemoration will ramp up even more. This Saturday, September 12, Avista will host a charity golf tournament in Thompson Falls to benefit Sanders County Community Housing Authority, a non-profit agency that promotes the availability of affordable housing to residents of Sanders County and offers weatherization and home repair programs for low-income, elderly and disabled home owners. We will also hold a re-dedication and community celebration of Noxon Rapids on October 1.
All of our activities emphasize Avista’s commitment to community, environment, and collaboration in our operations on the Clark Fork.
Aug 31 , 2009
We use a lot of fancy utility terms in our communications – and yes, even here on the blog. We can’t help it. It just comes out. So today, I’m doing the first Utility 101 post. In these posts I’ll try to explain some of the terms we use all time that you probably aren’t too familiar with.
We live this stuff and often expect you to know everything about it too. Not really fair, right?. If I get stuck in utility jargon mode – please call me on it. If it doesn’t make sense, then I should do a better job explaining it.
Here’s an example: what is a megawatt? When we talk about the generation of electricity at one of our dams, natural gas-fired plants, our biomass plant and even a wind farm, we often refer to the output in megawatts or MW. A megawatt is a measurement of electricity – roughly enough to power 750 homes. Of course, this varies by usage in each home, but it’s a good general number.
To make a comparison, Avista’s hydroelectric dam at Monroe Street has a generation capacity of 15 MW, while our Noxon Rapids hydro dam in Montana is much, much larger at 548.4 MW.
A megawatt is one million watts. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts. Customer rates are charged by the kilowatt hour or kWh. A kWh is equal to using 1,000 watts for an hour.
So now when we say we are looking to add 150 megawatts of wind by the end of 2012 – you know what we’re talking about.
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