News Releases for May 2005
May 27, 2005
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Hoeven: Corps Agrees To Modify Garrison Intake To Protect Cold-Water Fisheries
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is planning to proceed with a project to modify part of the Garrison Dam power plant water intake to use upper level, warmer water for power generation and at the same time conserve colder bottom water to protect the smelt and salmon population. The project consists of a combination of modifying the Garrison daily flow cycle of releases and blocking the lower portion of the intakes.
Hoeven and water commission engineers conceived the plan earlier this year, and the Governor pushed Corps officials this spring to implement it to protect Sakakawea’s cold water fisheries. The Corps has notified the North Dakota Water Commission that the project will be implemented and completed by about the end of June. Final cost is still being assessed.
“While we are doing everything in our power to get the Corps to conserve water, we are also working vigorously to protect municipal water supplies, secure access to the lake and preserve our world class cold water fishery,” Hoeven said. “We’re pleased that we’ve gotten them to initiate the intake modification, and in addition that they’ll have the project in place by the end of June. This is important, because the water heats up in July, August and September, and by implementing the project earlier, we can help to protect the fishery.”
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