18-066 Dworshak Dam to start testing generator unit 3 on Wednesday June 27; testing may continue through weekend

Published June 27, 2018
AHSAHKA, Idaho – Water discharges from Dworshak Dam near Orofino, Idaho, will temporarily fluctuate today, June 27, and likely through the weekend, as contractors conduct a series of tests on hydroelectric generator unit number 3, in preparation to return the unit to service.

Dworshak’s unit number 3 is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ largest hydroelectric generator, with a rated capacity of 220,000-kilowatts. It’s been out of service since Sept. 1, 2016, while contractor Andritz Hydro conducted a major overhaul of the generator. The series of mechanical and electric tests starting June 27 will continue until the unit is fully back in service.

Testing will include numerous starts and stops of the unit at various water flows. These flow changes will affect the North Fork of the Clearwater River immediately below the dam (tailrace area). Operations officials at Dworshak do not expect any significant rises in river level at this time, but flows and currents will change. This will likely affect anglers’ catch results when fishing below the dam at the wall, along the shoreline, the Ahsahka bridge and the river confluence. Please be aware of these level and current changes and be careful around the water.

“We’re sorry for the inconvenience this may cause fishermen on what may be the last weekend of Spring chinook fishing on the North Fork, but this important work cannot wait any longer,” said Paul Pence, Dworshak’s natural resource manager.

Please, contact the Dworshak Dam Visitor Center at 208-476-1255 with any questions or comments. Follow Dworshak’s Facebook page for the latest news and recreation opportunities https://www.facebook.com/dworshakdam/.
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Contact
Public Affairs Office
509-527-7020
cenww-pa@usace.army.mil

Release no. 18-066