TCD Learning Page

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Temperature Control Device - TCD Before Glen Canyon Dam was constructed, the natural flow cycle of the Colorado River included a seasonal warming trend in the late summer as the water temperature would increase from the near freezing winter temperature to approximately 85 degrees. Once the dam was constructed, the temperature of the water released downstream became relatively steady at between 45-50 degrees as water was drawn year round from the deep, fixed level penstock intakes (used for power production). Near the dam, these cold releases are tolerated by the trout fishery, but as this water moves downstream, it only warms to about 60 degrees which is not warm enough to allow endangered, native, warm water fish, such as the humpback chub, to reproduce in the mainstem of the Colorado River. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a biological opinion in 1994, that recommended that temperature control modifications to the existing intake structures at the dam, be investigated by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). Temperature control modifications would allow for water to be drawn from different depths of the reservoir. Instead of only drawing water from the existing intake openings which are fairly deep and cold, the temperature control modifications would allow for water to be drawn from closer to the reservoir surface, which is much warmer. The goal would be to determine the right temperature combination of the cold and warmer water withdrawals to benefit the native endangered fish, while avoiding the possibility of encouraging competitors (non-native, warm-water fish) into the system. [1]

Updates Record Colorado River flow reductions averaged 19.3% per year during 2000-2014. One-third or more of the decline was likely due to warming. Unabated greenhouse gas emissions will lead to continued substantial warming, translating to twenty-first century flow reductions of 35% or more. More precipitation can reduce the flow loss, but lack of increase to date and large megadrought threat, reinforce risk of large flow loss. Why less water? 2000-14 Temperatures are 1.6°F above 1906-99 Average Longer growing season More warmth on any given day At some point, possibly more plants and growth upslope More evaporation from soils More opportunity for sublimation More atmospheric demand Since the late 1980s increases in temperature have caused a substantial reduction in runoff efficiency. Over the last 3 decades temperature has reduced the flow by 7% [2] Need for a warm-water or a cold-water TCD Warm-water TCD increase native fish growth (and survival) increase foodbase production and diversity Cold-water TCD decrease threat of nonnative fish proliferation provide cold water to sustain the Lees Ferry trout fishery 1999 TCD Effort Many scientists and the FWS believe the ability to increase the dam's discharge temperature is a key element in the recovery of native fish near the Little Colorado River. Reclamation has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA), with subsequent peer review, on the proposed temperature control modifications and its potential impacts. The peer review, completed April 1999 and the draft Plan and EA, completed January 1999, are available for on-line viewing and as a download for off-line viewing (download). (Online viewing is NOT recommended for slow 56/28.8KB) connections). Based on an open, public review of the EA and further consultation with the FWS, Reclamation will decide whether or not to proceed with the $15 million modification. Construction may start as soon as FY-2000 and would be completed in approximately two years. Post construction testing would be accomplished by the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center and Adaptive Management Work Group. Temperature controls have already been installed on several other dams including: Flaming Gorge, Shasta, Hungry Horse, and Jordanelle Dams. Flaming Gorge Dam on the Green River (a tributary to the Colorado River) is another major dam on the Colorado River Storage Project system, of which Glen Canyon Dam is the key storage unit. Located upstream of Glen Canyon Dam, Flaming Gorge Dam's intake structures were modified with temperature controls in 1978. The result of these controls has been a remarkable positive impact on the river system below the dam. Trout growth rates immediately below the dam increased significantly in response to the warmer water. At the same time, native fish are also doing better downstream, near the Yampa River. Documents concerning the temperature control device are available for your review include: Scoping Report for the Glen Canyon Dam Proposed Temperature Control Device Environmental Assessment Application of the BETTER Model to Lake Powell by Technical Service Center, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, Colorado. We provide the option to view this document online or download (recommended) the file (PDF). Draft Science Plan to Accompany Environmental Assessment for a Temperature Control Device for Glen Canyon Dam by Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Flagstaff, Arizona. [3] The Summary of Findings from the TCD Workshop held on January 22-24, 2001, is now available.

Links Reclamation's TCD Page Temperature Page Hydrology Page Presentations and Papers The 21st Century Colorado River Hot Drought and Implications for the Future PPT 100824_AMWG Meeting- Attachment 12.a TCD PowerPoint Presentation_April 2001 AMWG TCD Summary_April 2001 AMWG TCD Workshop Update - PowerPoint Presentation_Jan 2001 AMWG TCD Monitoring Presentation_Jan 2000 AMWG Temperature Control Device Update_Sept. 1997 AMWG Adding Generation to the Bypass Tubes Generation at Outlet Glen Canyon Dam Plan of Study CRSP Power Peaking Capacity (March 1981) Other Stuff [4]