"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:37:07 -0700, George Adams
wrote:

Geat report. Have to agree with you about FLP. They are doing the same
thing on the Upper CT. Holding back water until the dams are about to
burst, and then blowing out the river.

Very interesting, George. I wonder if they have a history of acting
like this. I've never seen a more destructive and non-caring power
company.
snip

Unless regulations or their license set strict maximum/minimum flows, it
would be very unusual for a power company to base their water releases on
anything but electricity demand (other than the risk of blowing out the
dam). Whenever it is very hot (air conditioners), unusually cold ( heating),
or another needed generating facility is off-line, they will increase flows
through the generators to meet the increased demand, and will restrict flows
during periods of low demand (often excessively so) to assure that they will
have enough water during high demand periods - regardless of their effect
on the river or its fish. Compared to a local company that historically
only served a small local area with relatively stable and predictable
demand, this effect will be magnified if the company actively markets their
electricity into whichever spot market will provide the highest net return.
That's why it is so important for people who care about the river or the
fish to be very active in pushing for effective measures to be incorporated
in any dam relicensing.

Bob Weinberger