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Joel Fenolio, P.E. Upper Columbia Senior Water Manager Seattle District

Kootenai Basin Operations for 2012. Joel Fenolio, P.E. Upper Columbia Senior Water Manager Seattle District 22 Oct 2012. 2012 Summary. June highlighted by atypical conditions as unprecedented rains drove inflows, and seasonal water supply, sharply upwards.

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Joel Fenolio, P.E. Upper Columbia Senior Water Manager Seattle District

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  1. Kootenai Basin Operations for 2012 Joel Fenolio, P.E. Upper Columbia Senior Water Manager Seattle District 22 Oct 2012

  2. 2012 Summary • June highlighted by atypical conditions as unprecedented rains drove inflows, and seasonal water supply, sharply upwards. • Precipitation ranged from 200 to 400 percent of average throughout the Kootenai Basin. • Total Apr-Aug Inflow volume was 9.2 MAF (156% of average) • The May forecast was off by 28% • The Libby Dam forebay elevation reached a record peak of 2459.95 feet • The peak stage of Kootenay Lake at Queens Bay was 1753.8 feet—the highest since Libby Dam was completed.

  3. Operations • The two main operational goals for this year, outside of flood control were • Fulfill last year of a 3 year experiment for spill to help with sturgeon operations • Coordination for reduced outflows in Sept – Nov to support KTOI habitat project • During the flood event there was extensive coordination with Canada to surcharge Libby Dam • Two deviation requests were submitted and allowed for Libby Dam to not increase releases in early July

  4. June 2012 Precipitation Fernie Actual 6.1 inches Average 3.9 inches Cranbrook Actual 3.8 inches Average 2.1 inches Nelson Actual 9 inches Average 3.2 inches Castlegar Actual 9 inches Average 2.6 inches Eureka Actual 5.9 inches Average 2.2 inches Bonners Ferry Actual 5.2 inches Average 1.7 inches Libby Dam Actual 4.3 inches Average 1.7 inches

  5. June Precipitation

  6. 2012 Snowpack

  7. Libby Dam Forecast 2012

  8. Summary • Record June precipitation caused the largest inflow volume to Libby during the spring and summer since 1974. • The forecast did not, cannot, accurately predict the amount of rain in June all the time • Libby Dam surcharged above elevation 2459 ft in order to not increase releases and exacerbate downstream flooding • The surcharge was coordinated through Canada and the U.S. Entities of the Columbia River Treaty

  9. Total Dissolved Gas Concentration 2012

  10. Additional Slides

  11. Results with 2011 forecasts • Reservoir still surcharges to El. 2459.5 ft • Peak release from Libby Dam 39 kcfs • Bonners Ferry stage max 1764.5 ft

  12. June 2012 Outlook Created 17 May 2012

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