Laserfiche WebLink
<br />0007~3 <br /> <br />CHAPTER 2 - PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES <br /> <br />Alternatives <br /> <br />A]ternatives evaluated in this environmental assessment include a No Action and Proposed <br />Action Alternative. <br /> <br />No Action Alternative: Morrow Point Reservoir water surface elevation would not be lowered <br />and trash and debris would not be removed from the Morrow Point Power Plant inlet trash racks. <br />Trash and debris would continue to be collected on the trash rack, thus creating additional flow <br />restrictions and reduced power generation over time. <br /> <br />Proposed Action: The proposed action would lower the water surface elevation of Morrow Point <br />Reservoir approximately 31 feet to about 7,129 feet using controlled releases from Blue Mesa <br />and Morrow Point Dams and Power Plants. (Note: original plan called for lowering the reservoir <br />to 7,100 ft.). <br /> <br />Reservoir Draw Down and Trash Rack Cleaning Procedure <br /> <br />1, A slow draw down (I to 3 ft./day) of Morrow Point Reservoir would begin in August <br />2002, beginning at an approximate elevation of 7.152 ft. (full reservoir is 7,160 ft.) See <br />Appendix C for modeled reservoir draw down and refill scenarios, Daily reservoir <br />fluctuation would not be greater that the I to 3 ft./day, <br />a, Surveyors would take a set of readings on the landslide points prior to the start of <br />this draw down to determine if there is any movement occurring. <br /> <br />2, Draw down would continue until elevation 7,]29 ft. is reached (on or about September 4, <br />2002). <br />a. At a minimum, landslides would be surveyed at least once during the reservoir <br />draw down between elevations 7,141 and 7,129 ft., and again at 7,129 ft. <br />Landslide movements would be evaluated by Reclamation to determine if changes <br />in draw down rates are needed or if the draw down should continue. <br /> <br />3, At elevation 7,129 ft., the trash rack cleaning would begin. The elevation would be held <br />at or about 7.129 ft. while a dive team cleans the trash racks. A team of four divers <br />would be working from a crane mounted on a barge, Trash would be removed and <br />transported off-site for disposal. The trash rack cleaning would require between 4 days <br />and two weeks to complete depending on the amount of trash and difficulty in removal. <br /> <br />4. Once the trash rack cleaning is completed. the reservoir would be refilled. The rate of <br />refill would be determined and adjusted as needed to protect downstream water quality. <br />Turbidity monitoring points in Morrow Point Reservoir. Crystal Reservoir and the <br /> <br />5 <br />