Lower Mountain Fork River Foundation

ONGOING PROJECTS

These are projects which we support and help fund annually

     TROUT REARING STATIONS  ........Rearing Pen Update & Pictures

Over 10,000 additional trout are removed from the rearing pens and released in Zone II twice a year.  This improves fishing and opportunities for all of us.

The rearing stations are important to the fishermen who fish in the trophy water (Zone II).  Almost 40,000 trout ranging in size from 7-11 inches are placed in the pens throughout the year. The trout are allowed to grow larger giving them a better chance of survival. The LMFRF pays for 25% of this cost per year.

Three to four months later, or after they have reached adequate size, the trout are released into Zone II.

We should be getting 15,000 brown trout in the spring (March). These will go into the east side of the rearing pens. The rainbows that are in there now will be gone by then. There are also an additional 8,000 rainbows that will be added to the west side pen around the same time.

The ODWC will be reinforcing pen panels when pens are pulled this summer. Even after the pens were repaired last year by the Foundation, they did not hold up as anticipated. This goes to show the power of the water on those pens. The ODWC is still very appreciative of the work that was done to restore the pens from the shape they were in.  The LMFRF funds food for the trout that are put into the pens each year.

This is due, in part, to warm water being released during summer hydropower generation at Broken Bow Reservoir (BBR).  ODWC seeks to improve thermal characteristics in the LMFR and subsequently enhance trout fishing opportunities in this scenic stream for Oklahoma anglers. 

A model designed to determine potential temperature improvement options in the LMFR was recently completed. Results from the model indicated that improved access to and subsequent release of cold water in the Broken Bow Reservoir (BBR) is the most tractable solution for enhancing stream temperature. Studies show that a considerable volume of cold water exists below the intake structures at BBR. The problem is that this cold water, which is the lifeblood of the LMFR trout fishery, is inaccessible during turbine or sluice operation in the present state of these intake structures.

Selective withdrawal techniques can be used to gain access to cooler water in reservoirs with cold water access problems. Solutions being considered to achieve releases of cooler water in the BBR include:

1) Flexible curtains in the forebay to force withdrawal of deeper water by the turbines;

2) Deploying air diffusers in the forebay to entrain and bring cold water up to the intake levels and;

3) Attaching extensions to intake structures that penetrate the cold water layer.

Before these solutions can be implemented, a detailed evaluation of the water quality issues in BBR is required.  A reservoir water quality model is the most dependable and defensible method of accomplishing these endeavors.

A preemptive reservoir water quality model of the BBR is ongoing. The study includes evaluation of seasonal and long-term effects of the selective withdrawal on temperature and water quality in the reservoir and the tailwater.  For example, dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are currently quite good at lower elevations in the Broken Bow Reservoir. However, deep warming due to cold water withdrawal ma impact DO at these depths. Laminar hypolimnetic movement may also pull undesirable constituents from the upper reaches of Broken Bow Reservoir downstream towards the dam. The ability of the reservoir to sustain a cold water supply throughout each year’s access period will also be assessed.

If the reservoir and tailwater impacts are acceptable and the options appear to have potential, a subsequent engineering feasibility evaluation of options for providing cold-water access will follow. The feasibility evaluation is necessary to determine engineering of and operation and maintenance protocols necessary to facilitate the most tractable solution identified during reservoir modeling. Finally, an implementation phase will complete the project and benchmark the final step in water temperature improvement and that is paramount to enhanced fishing opportunities.

Cold Water Project (UPDATE)

The ODWC is preparing to do $10,000 of further computer modeling of the bubble diffusers.  They will be using data from last year and extrapolating it out to check the feasibility of further testing this summer. The funds for this were not from the LMFRF. The ODWC worked on a warm water stream restoration project in NE Oklahoma which actually made money.  Some of this excess money went to fund this new modeling. LMFRF funds were earmarked for the Cold Water Project several years ago and last year we funded the initial phase involving the bubble diffusers.  Once we get conclusive reports from the ODWC that the diffusers have worked, then we will be vote to approve the next step
 

     RE-REGULATION DAM CLEAN-OUT (Patrick Waters)

The LMFRF is looking into cleaning out the low flow pipes of the re-regulation dam. This is the larger dam below the Old Park Dam. There are four 2-foot diameter pipes at the bottom of the re-regulation dam to allow for constant water flow to continue downstream regardless of the generating schedule. There is a grate in front of each pipe and the accumulation of debris over the years has caused a reduction in flow of approximately 85% (a number that is disputed depending on who you talk with).

There is also the interest of the City of Broken Bow to put a generating plant in the re-regulation dam. However, as I have been keeping an eye on their progress in this endeavor, it seems that this is years away at best.  Recently there was a rumor that building could start soon but according to the paperwork filed with FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) there are various agencies with crucial interest in this project that are not ready to stamp their approval until more questions are answered and conflicting information is resolved. This seems to be moving with the typical blinding speed of our federal government.

As of this time we feel that if we can get the pipes cleaned out ourselves it will be worth the cost to have colder water downstream and increase the viability of the trout in Zone III and not wait on a generating plant that may or may not happen.

The Corp. of Engineers did a sounding of the re-regulation dam at our request and it shows that at this time there are no large obstructions in front of the grates to the pipes. They feel that there is a build-up of small debris on the grates themselves. They have stated that we can do anything we please to clean out the pipes as long as the project is performed with safety as a priority. They have also pledged to work with us as well as helping gain cooperation from Southwest Power, U.S. Forestry Service, and the ODWC in obtaining our goal.  Of course, the ODWC has said that if we work through them we will be eligible for matching funds through the Sportfish Restoration Fund.

Our project at this point is to see if we can actually stop water flow through the pipes from the pond side of the dam. This will be necessary to work on the pipes on the downstream side.  Before we attempt this however, we want to get a clearer picture of what exactly is in front of the grates. The Foundation has approved $1000.00 for initial purchases of equipment for this portion of our project.

Another option that we are considering is to have the area in front of the low flow pipes dredged.  Cost is a factor, as always, and we want to be as prudent as possible. Which direction we go is also dependant upon what the City of Broken Bow sees as a timeline for the construction of the new hydroelectric project.

Our first step was to purchase an underwater video system for viewing what exactly is in front of the pipes. The video system also has a video out port with a USB cable so that we can record straight to a computer.  We have made two attempts to film as of March 1, 2008. The first attempt ended with the failure of the video camera. The second attempt just happened to be after a storm and the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers was releasing water to lower the lake level.  Due to high water levels and very high run-off, there was very little to see, as visibility was almost zero.  We are now waiting for the summer months and lower, clearer water.  We will then contact the Corp. again to see how we can proceed.

We hope to have a clearer picture of what it will take to accomplish this project by the June 28 meeting of the LMFRF.