Garrison Cold Water Fishery Alternatives Assessment and Environmental Assessment with Finding of No Significant Impact
Abstract
I have reviewed and evaluated the documents concerning the proposal to provide a temporary method of maintaining suitable water quality in Lake Sakakawea that is supportive of cold water fisheries during a severe time of drought. The formulation of alternative means for accomplishing this goal has taken place in the form of a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Dakota State Water Commission, North Dakota Game & Fish Department, North Dakota Department of Health, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services Office, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery. The alternatives that I have reviewed fall within 3 basic categories: a) Physical Modifications, which included alternatives that alter the Garrison intake structure or the submerged intake channel within the lake; b) Flow Release Modifications, which included altering the daily release patterns to decrease the amount of coldwater taken during discharge while still discharging the same daily flow volume; and c) Lake Installation of equipment to alter the water quality by means such as mixing or oxygen injection. The no action alternative was not selected because it would not provide a means to provide suitable water quality in Lake Sakakawea that is supportive of cold water fisheries. The Preferred Alternative that was selected consists of a combination of modifying the Garrison daily flow cycle of releases and temporarily modifying the trash racks for intakes at penstocks two and three. The environmental consequences of the Preferred Alternative on the physical, biological, and cultural resources have been evaluated.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA635091
Entities
Organizations
- Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers