2011 Honor Award - Design

Lower Baker Adult Fish Trap Upgrade

Location: Concrete, Washington
Entrant: CDM/R2 Resources, Inc.
Engineer in Charge: Frank Postlewaite, P.E.
Media Contact: Marlene Hobel, Vice President of Corporate Communications, CDM; 617-452-6000; Hobelma@cdm.com

The Puget Sound Energy (PSE) adult fish trap (AFT) was upgraded to meet the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) new licensing requirements to preserve and strengthen the endangered salmon population, and also provide for better identification of fish species. Upon its completion, PSE reported more than 25,000 fish captured and counted at the new facility.	The upgraded facility features a modernized fish trap elevator and automated sorting facility. Designs are being implemented at additional hydroelectric facilities for Tacoma Power and PacifiCorp. Pictured is the exterior of the completed facility on the Baker River.	The improved water system, which pipes water from above the facility to below it, simulates a moving body of water to encourage fish to swim into the entrance and holding pools.
From the entrance and holding pools, the enhanced crowding system moves the salmon into a fish lock/elevator that raises the fish 60 feet from the river level to a new enclosed sorting facility.	The programmable logic control system helps operators identify, sort, count and record, and then route species into different pools for sampling and classification using an electronic data management system.	Upgrade improvements include an automated lift and sorting system that replaced the existing facility's manual operations to reduce labor and eliminate human contact time with fish. The automation allows fish to be processed much faster and increases the level of safety for biologists and fish. A worker is pictured operating the sorting facility that sorts fish into different pools for sampling and analysis prior to being loaded into water-filled trucks for transport upstream.

Entrant Profile

CDM assisted in the design to upgrade the existing Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Lower Baker adult fish trap (AFT) in Concrete, Washington, and constructed a new automated lift and sorting system, an electronic data management system for collecting biological information, and a new 'fish taxi' loading system used for transporting fish upstream. CDM provided design and construction services and completed the project ahead of schedule in June 2010, despite numerous inclement weather and construction challenges. Upon its completion, the AFT accommodated a record fish run of more than 25,000. CDM is a consulting, engineering, construction, and operations firm delivering exceptional service to public and private clients worldwide.

R2 Resource Consultants, Inc. served as the design engineer from conceptual development and agency negotiation to support PSE's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicense approval. R2 is an environmental and engineering consulting firm specializing in fisheries biology; aquatic, wetland, and riparian ecology; hydrology; hydraulic, water resource, and facilities engineering including civil/structural design and construction services; and watershed analysis.

PSE is Washington's oldest energy unit that serves more than 1 million customers and nearly 750,000 natural gas customers in 11 counties. CDM partnered with PSE to enhance fish populations in the Skagit watershed and to be compliant with the new Baker River hydroelectric relicensing requirements mandated by FERC.

Project Description

Spawning a Safe Passage

Pacific salmon migration is a long, strenuous and desperate race against time. With only a small percentage of salmon living to reach their natal stream or spawning grounds, a number of Pacific salmon species were placed on the endangered species list. In addition to overfishing and natural barriers, hydroelectric dams have also affected the Pacific salmon population. To give salmon runs in Washington's North Cascades' Baker River basin a boost, in compliance with a new 50-year federal operating license, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) partnered with CDM and R2 Resource Consultants to modernize its hydroelectric adult fish trap (AFT) with advanced technology and equipment. Through innovative design and collaboration, this ground-breaking upgrade is more 'fish-friendly,' accommodating a record fish run of more than 25,000, and has set a new standard for fish passage at hydroelectric facilities in the Pacific Northwest.

Integrated Approach

Coordination of needs enhances ecology: In-water construction was coordinated to accommodate fish runs and to balance other water supply demands, including release of water for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. This minimized the environmental impact on the fishery and river water quality.
Sustainable solution provides renewable energy and improved ecology: As hydroelectric power converts water into electricity, the AFT promotes salmon migration and spawning. PSE is enhancing fish recovery while generating a clean, reliable source of energy.

Quality

Fish passage system improves fish identification and survival: Design upgrades include an automated lift and sorting system that safely and more efficiently routes various species of fish into different pools or sampling stations for classification and analyses; an electronic data management system that collects biological information about captured fish; and a new 'fish taxi' loading system that transfers fish into water-filled trucks for transport upstream.
High water flow increases fish attraction: Better simulation of a flowing stream encourages fish to swim into the trap's riverbank entrance. Enticed by attraction water, the fish pass through automated entrance weirs into holding pools, before a crowding mechanism gently directs the fish into a transition pool. From there, the salmon enter the fish lock that raises the water level 60 feet to the elevation of the sorting flume, where they then jump at flowing water into the flume for sorting.
Automated operations restore confidence in hydroelectric power: The upgrade demonstrates to the community and environmental agencies that fish passage around hydroelectric dams can be efficient while preserving and strengthening endangered fish species. Automating the facility's previously manual operations enables operators to better capture, identify and sort fish.
Health and safety measures eliminate setbacks: Regular safety meetings supported a record of zero lost-time injuries or recordable Occupational Safety and Health Administration incidents throughout the 14-month construction.

Originality and Innovation

Fish trap elevator sets new benchmark in fish passage at hydroelectric power facilities: While PSE could collect, count, identify and sort fish at the original facility, significant manual labor was required. The new facility enables PSE staff to process the fish much faster-2,000 versus 1,000 fish per day-and records are automated. The upgrade increases the safety for biologists, who no longer have to descend ladders into concrete tanks, and reduces stress on the fish. Similar designs are being implemented at additional hydroelectric facilities in the region.
Collaboration advances project completion: Despite inclement weather and seasonal challenges, the CDM project team coordinated to complete the upgrade over the course of two seasons and 2 weeks ahead of schedule, to accommodate fish runs. As the AFT's footprint was limited to 10,000 square feet, the team adhered to an advanced project management strategy to maintain a safe work environment.
Structural design specifications prevent injury to fish: A focus on detail drew positive reviews from regulatory agencies and biologists for the precisely fabricated components and structural steel, as well as precision-poured and finished concrete, to prevent any harm to the fish. Work included custom metal gates, flumes and crowders, as well as a brail, fish lock, and false weir system to carefully move and handle the fish.
Public education increases awareness: A visitor's center and interactive tours of the facility provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the extensive fish recovery systems and the importance of environmental stewardship.

Complexity

3D modeling ensures successful implementation: A state-of-the-art model allowed the team to address potential design conflicts in real time. It also allowed for mechanical and structural revisions to accommodate existing site conditions.
Design innovations accommodate in-water work: To allow the existing fish trap to operate during the upgrade, CDM designed and built a two-compartment cofferdam. Attraction water could still enter the trap through existing pipes in one compartment, and a 36-inch core was drilled through a headwall to more than double the attraction water flow in the other compartment. Within both compartments, debris screens were upgraded to minimize debris from the river. A sheet-pile cofferdam was also installed downstream to construct an outfall to safely release juvenile salmonids. All in-water work was timed with release of water for flood control, power generation, fish runs and recreation.
Temporary erosion and sediment control (TESC) manage water level: To combat periods of heavy snow fall and rain, CDM implemented TESC measures that allowed work to continue with minimal turbid releases into the river.

Social or Economic Advancement

Passage system boosts fish population: The upgrade supports the preservation and strengthening of endangered salmon species and also enables the collection of a wide range of biological information about captured fish before they're transported upstream. One month after construction was completed, PSE reported the largest run on record with more than 25,000 fish captured and counted.
Approach creates recreational and commercial benefits: The community has praised the new facility for enhancing public recreational opportunities that include camping, hiking, boating and sport fishing. The higher fish count offers commercial benefits as well, with increased revenue from fish harvesting. The improved system also provides greater flood control for communities and timed water releases to support salmonid migration.

The 'fish taxi' loading system moves migrating adult salmon from the sorting pools and transports them into water-filled trucks. A 'fish taxi' is filled in the fish loading area.	The fish are then driven upstream around two Baker River dams to their spawning grounds.	The project team made safety a top priority. There were zero lost-time injuries or recordable Occupational Safety and Health Administration incidents reported among the 50,000 workers. The project team, including CDM and R2 Resource Consultants, held regular safety meetings and made design modifications to accommodate site challenges. R2 workers are pictured at a health and safety meeting at the AFT facility.
Successful project team collaboration resulted in the project's completion ahead of schedule. The CDM project team worked closely with PSE to avoid interfering with ongoing site operations and completed more than half the facility without disrupting operations. CDM workers construct the upper retaining wall of the fish trap elevator.	CDM workers construct the upper retaining wall of the fish trap elevator. As the AFT workspace was limited to 10,000 square feet, the project team maintained an advanced project management strategy to ensure a safe work environment.	The community has praised the new facility for enhancing public recreational opportunities that include camping, biking, hiking and sport fishing. Commercial benefits include increased revenue from fish harvesting and enhanced food supply. Community members were invited to attend the opening ceremony with tours of the new facility.
The project team coordinated in-water work with the release of water for flood control, hydroelectric power generation, water regulation for fish runs and water release for recreational purposes.