On Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:09:11 GMT, "Bob Weinberger"
wrote:

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).

TU is very proud of the fact that they got their demand of minimum
flow of 400 cfs. Trouble is, the previous power company, Union Power,
seldom went below 400 and if they did, it was in the winter time when
there would be no impact of the river/fish.



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.

I have no problem with that philosophy. But, when the lake is full
and they are running only 400 cfs for weeks on end, with the water
lapping over the top of the dam, then, suddenly, open it to 6700 cfs
because the "lake is full is pure mismanagement of the water way. The
previous owner never did this in late spring/early summer.

One late spring they practically drained the lake in early April
because they feared the spring run-off and more precipitation. That
was the summer they ran 200 cfs which turned the river into a warm
water stream and attracted the illegally stocked bass out of Lake
Umbagog (down river) into the river. Once in, there is no way to rid
the river of these pests.

The previous owners would not run over 800 cfs in May and June because
of nesting Loons down-river. FPL obviously doesn't care about these
wonderful birds with dam flows over the years exceeding 4000 cfs.
And, btw, every time they open the dam to these flood conditions, down
river below the Errol Dam (Lake Umbagog) IS flooded

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.

Well spoken, however Trout Unlimited is the guilty party here. *They*
are the ones that got the 400 cfs minimum (never needed under Union
Power), but completely forgot about maximum flow. I have written
letters, spoken to FPL, TU, and the State of Maine Fiseries, and no
one shivs a git about it. They're all happy, or so it seems.

Dave