Lewis River
Project Overview
PacifiCorp’s 510 megawatt (MW) capacity Lewis River hydroelectric facilities are located in rural southwestern Washington. The first dam site, Merwin, is approximately 10 miles east of Woodland, about 40 miles northeast of Portland, Ore. Constructed between 1931 and 1958, the Lewis River projects are located in a scenic area near Mt. St. Helens in the Cascade mountain range. View fact sheet (PDF).
Click on the construction link above for information on closures.
Springing from Adams Glacier on Mt. Adams, the North Fork of the Lewis River flows past the southern flank of Mt. St. Helens on a 90-mile path before emptying into the Columbia River near Woodland, Wash. Much of the drainage basin of the North Fork of the Lewis River lies within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Consequently, several state and federal resource agencies are involved in resource management in the project's vicinity.
The sequence of the four Lewis River projects upstream of the confluence of the Lewis and Columbia rivers is: Merwin, Yale, Swift No. 2, and Swift No.1. These four projects are licensed separately by FERC. Merwin (FERC No. 935), Yale (FERC No. 2071), and Swift No. 1 (FERC No. 2111) are owned and operated by PacifiCorp. Swift No. 2 (FERC NO. 2213) is owned by Cowlitz County PUD No. 1 and is operated in coordination with the other projects by PacifiCorp.
Placed in service in 1931, the Merwin project has a generating capacity of 136 mw. The dam associated with this plant is a 313-foot high concrete arch type. It creates Merwin Lake, a 4,040-acre impoundment popular with a wide variety of recreationists.
The Yale project was completed in 1953. It features a 3,780-acre reservoir (locally known as Yale Lake, it also is a popular recreation site) and a main earthfill embankment dam that is 323 feet high. The two turbines in the Yale powerhouse were recently upgraded to a combined rated capacity of 134 mw.
At 240 mw, Swift No. 1 is PacifiCorp’s largest hydroelectric facility. When initially built in 1958, the 512-foot Swift Dam was one of the highest earthfill dams in the world. The Swift Reservoir is 4,600 acres and similarly provides a variety of fishing, camping, swimming and other recreation. The discharge of Swift No. 1 enters a canal that transports the water through the 70 mw Swift No. 2 project owned by Cowlitz County PUD No. 1 before it is returned to the upper end of Yale Reservoir.
PacifiCorp operates several recreational facilities associated with the Lewis River projects. These facilities include 318 camping sites, 268 picnic sites, several boat ramps, swimming beaches, fishing access, and day use areas.
Settlement Agreement Documents
The following documents comprise the Final Settlement Agreement for the Lewis River Relicensing, dated November 30, 2004.
Relicensing Documents
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Lewis River Hydroelectric Project NMFS Biological Opinion - August 27, 2007
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Lewis River Hydroelectric Project USFWS Biological Opinion - September 15, 2006
- Lewis River Hydoelectric Project - 401 Water Quality Certifications
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Lewis River Water Quality Management Plan, July 2013 Merwin Project - 401 Certification with amendments Yale Project - 401 Certification with amendments
- Lewis River Modified Fishway Prescriptions
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Modified Fishway Prescriptions for Applications for Major New License for the Lewis River Projects: Merwin Project No. P-935, Yale Project No. P-2071, Swift No. 1 Project No. P-2111 and Swift No. 2 Project No. P-2213. February 2006.
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Lewis River Hydroelectric Project - Biological Evaluation
Biological Evaluation of USFWS Listed, Proposed and Candidate Species. January 2005
- Application for New License for the Merwin Hydroelectric Project - Volume 1
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Volume 1 of the Application for New License for the Merwin Hydroelectric Project: Initial Statement and Exhibits
Exhibit A: Description of Project Exhibit B: Project Operation and Resource Utilization Exhibit C: Construction History Exhibit D: Statement of Costs and Financing Exhibit E: Environmental ReportExhibit F: General Design Drawings (CONFIDENTIAL - available upon appropriate request)
Exhibit H: Applicant's Qualifications to Operate the Project
- Application for New License for the Merwin Hydroelectric Project - Volume 2
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Volume 2 of the Application for New License for the Merwin Hydroelectric Project: PDEA
Section 1: Purpose of Action and Need for Power Section 2: Proposed Action and Alternatives Section 3: Environmental Consequences Section 4: Developmental Analysis
- Application for New License for the Merwin Hydroelectric Project - Volume 3
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Volume 3 of the Application for New License for the Merwin Hydroelectric Project: Appendices
Appendix A: Historic Properties Management Plan Appendix B: Recreation Resource Management Plan Appendix C: Consultation RecordAppendix D: Final Technical Reports
List of Studies and Acronyms and AbbreviationsAquatics Resources
AQU 1
Report on Life History, Habitat Requirements, and Distribution of Aquatic Analysis Species AQU 1 Report
Report on Life History, Habitat Requirements, and Distribution of Aquatic Analysis Species AQU 1 Appendix 1
Fish distribution maps AQU 1 Appendix 2
WRIA 27 Fish distribution and barriersAQU 2
Swift Bypass Reach Instream Flow Study
AQU 2 Report
Swift Bypass Reach Instream Flow Study AQU 2 Appendix 1
Habitat suitability criteria for Swift bypass reach and meeting participants AQU 2 Appendix 2
Hydraulic simulations AQU 2 Appendix 3
WUA vs. flow for anadromous species in the Swift bypass reachAQU 3
Report on Merwin Streamflow and Ramping Rate
AQU 3 Report
Report on Merwin Streamflow and Ramping Rate AQU 3 Appendix 1
Article 49 of the Merwin License AQU 3 Appendix 2
Merwin flow calculation methodology AQU 3 Appendix 3
Species periodicity in relation to flows downstream of Merwin Dam AQU 3 Appendix 4
Map of the Lewis River downstream of Merwin Dam showing gravel bars and ramping rate sites AQU 3 Appendix 5
Photographs of the Lewis River ramping rate sitesAQU 4
Assessment of Potential Anadromous Fish Habitat Upstream of Merwin Dam
AQU 4 Report
Assessment of Potential Anadromous Fish Habitat Upstream of Merwin Dam AQU 4 Appendix 1
Habitat data summary sheets and photographs of reaches potentially accessible to anadromous fish above Merwin DamAQU 5
Engineering Feasibility of Fish Passage Facilities
AQU 5 Report
Engineering Feasibility of Fish Passage Facilities AQU 5 Appendix 1
Engineering Feasibility Study for Fish Passage Facilities - Phase 2 AQU 6
Evaluation of Fish Entrainment at the Swift No. 1 Hydroelectric FacilityAQU 7
Creel Survey
AQU 7 Report
Creel Survey AQU 7 Appendix 1
Pathology results for fish examined from Swift Reservoir in 2000AQU 8
Report on Fish Management and Hatchery Operations of the Lewis RiverReport on Fish Management and Hatchery Operations of the Lewis River
AQU 8 Appendix 1
WDFW joint response to "key" questions AQU 8 Appendix 2
Hatchery fish release locations (1952 through 1998) AQU 8 Appendix 3
Hatchery Fish Releases Above Merwin Dam (1995-2000) AQU 9
Speelyai Creek Connectivity and Speelyai Hatchery Protection Study AQU 10
Evaluation of Hatchery Origin Coho Salmon Behavior, Productivity, and Habitat Selection in the Upper Lewis River WatershedAQU 11
Quantification of In-river Residency and Optimization of Release Strategies for Hatchery Coho Salmon Smolts in the Lower Lewis River AQU 11A
Quantification of In-river Residency and Optimization of Release Strategies for Hatchery Coho Salmon Smolts in the Lower Lewis River (2001) AQU 11B
Quantification of In-river Residency and Optimization of Release Strategies for Hatchery Coho Salmon Smolts in the Lower Lewis River (2002)AQU 12
Bull Trout Habitat Enhancement in Rain and Ole Creeks Study AQU 12 Appendix 1
Ole Creek instream flow study results AQU 13
Evaluation of Anadromous Salmon Behavior and Habitat Selection in the Upper Lewis River Watershed, Phase 2AQU 14A
Migratory Behavior of Radio-tagged Juvenile Coho Salmon through Swift Reservoir, 2001 AQU 14A
Migratory Behavior of Radio-tagged Juvenile Coho Salmon through Swift Reservoir, 2001 AQU 14A Appendix 1
Location of Radio-tagged Juvenile Coho Salmon in Swift ReservoirAQU 14B
Migratory Behavior of Radio-tagged Juvenile Chinook Salmon through Swift Reservoir, 2002 AQU 14B
Migratory Behavior of Radio-tagged Juvenile Chinook Salmon through Swift Reservoir, 2002 AQU 14B Appendix 1
Location of Radio-tagged Juvenile Chinook Salmon in Swift Reservoir AQU 15
Genetic Evaluation of Native Trout and Steelhead Stocks in the Upper Lewis River Watershed AQU 16
Summary of Information Available to Assess Potential Aquatic Species Interactions in the Lewis River Basin AQU 17
Behavior of Salmonid Smolts at Swift Dam Using 3-Dimensional Tracking with Acoustic TagsAQU 18
AQU 18
Lewis River Fish Planning Document AQU 18 Appendix A
Response of Participating Parties to Fourteen Questions Regarding Development of a Fishery Management Plan for the Lewis River Basin AQU 18 Appendix B
Salmon Popcycle Model Structure Instruction for Use and Assumptions AQU 18 Appendix C
Sensitivity Analysis of Popcycle Parameter Effects on Predicted Population Size AQU 18 Appendix D
Lewis River Hatchery Review AQU 18 Appendix E
Upper Lewis EDT Analysis AQU 18 Appendix F
Comments AQU 18 Appendix G
A Conceptual Foundation for the Management of the Lewis River Salmonid Populations AQU 19
Evaluation of Three Proposed Management Scenarios to Enhance Three Potential Bull Trout Nursery Habitats, Accessible to Lake Merwin and Yale Lake, Lewis RiverCultural
CUL 1
Traditional Cultural Properties Inventory and Assessment CUL 2
Archaeological Resources Inventory and Assessment CUL 3
Historical Hydroelectric Structures Inventory and Assessment CUL 4
Historical Non-hydroelectric Structures Inventory and Assessment CUL 5
Assessment of Impacts of Project Alternatives on National Register Eligible Cultural Resources CUL 6
Preparation of Cultural Resource Management Plan (CRMP)Recreation
REC 1
Recreation Supply Analysis REC 1 Report
Recreation Supply Analysis REC 1 Appendix A
Recreation Supply Analysis (EDAW Report) REC 1 Appendix B
Site Maps of Yale Lake Recreation Sites and Facilities REC 1 Appendix C
Site Maps of Lake Merwin Recreation Sites and Facilities REC 1 Appendix D
Site Maps of Swift Reservoir Recreation Sites and Facilities REC 1 Appendix E-1
Lake Merwin Shoreline Dispersed Site Inventory and Condition Forms REC 1 Appendix E-2
Yale Lake Shoreline Dispersed Site Inventory and Condition Forms REC 1 Appendix E-3
Swift Reservoir Shoreline Dispersed Site Inventory and Condition FormsREC 2
Recreation Demand Analysis REC 2 Report
Recreation Demand Analysis REC 2 Appendix A
Lake Merwin and Swift Reservoir Survey Results REC 2 Appendix B
Yale Lake Survey Results REC 2 Appendix C
Oregon Resident Component of Recreation Visitor Survey Results REC 2 Appendix D
Dispersed/Displaced Recreation Visitor Survey Results REC 2 Appendix E
Fall Season Recreation Visitor Survey Results REC 2 Appendix F
Area Resident Survey Results REC 2 Appendix G
River-Related Recreation Survey Results REC 2 Appendix H
Private Non-Project Recreation Survey Results REC 2 Appendix I
Angler Creel Survey REC 3
Recreation Surveys REC 4
River-Related Recreation SurveysREC 5
Recreation Capacity and Suitability Analysis
REC 5 Report
Recreation Capacity and Suitability Analysis REC 5 Appendix 1
Recreation Capacity and Suitability Analysis (EDAW Report) REC 5 Appendix 2
Trail Feasibility Study (EDAW Report)REC 6
Recreation Needs Analysis REC 6 Report
Recreation Needs Analysis REC 6 Appendix 1
Recreation Needs Analysis (EDAW Report) REC 7
Draft Recreation Resource Management PlanSocioeconomics
SOC 1 Report
Socioeconomics Resource Study SOC 1 Appendix 1
Text of RCW 54.28.050 SOC 1 Appendix 2
Descriptive text of money generation modelTerrestrial
TER 1
Vegetation Cover Type MappingTER 2
TER 2 Report
Habitat Evaluation Procedure TER 2 Appendix 1
HEP Team meeting notes TER 2 Appendix 2
Lewis River HEP Models TER 2 Appendix 3
Datasheets TER 2 Appendix 4
|Snag and shrub statistics TER 2 Appendix 5
Successional rules TER 2 Appendix 6
AAHU calculations by habitat and segmentTER 3
Analysis Species Assessment TER 3 Report
Analysis Species Assessment TER 3 Appendix 1
Species/habitat associationsTER 4
Botanical Surveys TER 4 Report
Botanical surveys TER 4 Appendix 1
TES plant species TER 5
Wetland Information Synthesis TER 6
Reservoir Fluctuation Study TER 7
Tributary Stream StudyTER 8
Forest Harvest Practices Assessment TER 8 Report
Forest Harvest Practices Assessment TER 8 Appendix 1
Glossary of terms TER 9
Riparian Habitat Information Synthesis
Water Quality
WAQ 1
Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Study WAQ 1 Report
Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Study WAQ 1 Appendix 1
Daily summary statistics of hourly temperature measurements WAQ 1 Appendix 2
Plots of minimum and maximum temperatures WAQ 1 Appendix 3
Percent exceedence analyses for hourly temperature measurements WAQ 1 Appendix 4
Percent exceedence analyses for diel temperature fluctuations WAQ 1 Appendix 5
Results of laboratory analyses for Lewis River monitoring sites WAQ 1 Appendix 6
Results of in situ measurements at Lewis River monitoring sites, May 1999 - April 2000 WAQ 1 Appendix 7
Plots of vertical profile in situ data for Swift and Merwin reservoirs, May 1999 - April 2000WAQ 2
Total Dissolved Gas Study
WAQ 2 Report
Total Dissoved Gas Study WAQ 2 Appendix
Daily minimum, maximum and standard deviation of temperature and total dissolved gas data WAQ 2 Appendix 2
Weekly total dissolved gas measurements WAQ 2 Appendix 3
Vertical profiles of temperature and dissolved oxygen WAQ 3
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHS) in Yale Reservoir WAQ 4
Total Dissolved Gas (TDG) Monitoring - 2001: Response of Dissolved Gas Saturation Downstream of the Swift No. 1 Project to Reduced Turbine Air InflowWatershed Proccess
Physiographic Setting and Stream Channel ClassificationWTS 2Streamflow Study
WTS 3Stream Channel Morphology and Aquatic Habitat Study
Stream Channel Morphology and Aquatic Habitat StudyAquatic habitat unit dataSubstrate samplesSpawning gravel samplesHydraulic modeling for Swift bypass reach and Speelyai CreekWTS 4Swift Bypass Reach Synthesis Report
Indicators of hydrologic alterationConsulting Engineer's Report on Providing Flow to the Lewis River Bypass Reach from the Swift No. 2 CanalComments of Cowlitz Tribe & WDFW on WTS 4
- Application for New License for the Swift No. 1 Hydroelectric Project - Volume 1
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Volume 1 of the Application for New License for the Swift No. 1 Hydroelectric Project: Initial Statement and Exhibits
Exhibit A: Description of Project Exhibit B: Project Operation and Resource Utilization Exhibit C: Construction History Exhibit D: Statement of Costs and Financing Exhibit E: Environmental ReportExhibit F: General Design Drawings (CONFIDENTIAL - available upon appropriate request)
Exhibit H: Applicant's Qualifications to Operate the Project
- Application for New License for the Swift No. 1 Hydroelectric Project - Volume 2
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Volume 2 of the Application for New License for the Swift No. 1 Hydroelectric Project: PDEA
Section 1: Purpose of Action and Need for Power Section 2: Proposed Action and Alternatives Section 3: Environmental Consequences Section 4: Developmental Analysis
- Application for New License for the Swift No. 1 Hydroelectric Project - Volume 3
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Volume 3 of the Application for New License for the Swift No. 1 Hydroelectric Project: Appendices
Appendix A: Historic Properties Management Plan Appendix B: Recreation Resource Management Plan Appendix C: Consultation RecordAppendix D: Final Technical Reports (see above in Application for New License for the Merwin Hydroelectric Project - Volume 3)
Appendix E: Flow Duration Curves Appendix F: Generation Capability Assessment for the Swift No. 1 Hydroelectric Project Appendix G: Swift Dam Construction
- Yale License Application
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Yale License Application Executive Summary and Initial Statement Yale License Application Exhibit A: Description of Project Yale License Application Exhibit B: Project Operations and Resource Utilization Yale License Application Exhibit C: Construction History Yale License Application Exhibit D: Statement of Costs and Financing
Yale License Application Exhibit E: Environmental Report
Yale License Application Exhibit E: Table of Contents, Intro, General Description of the Locale Yale License Application Exhibit E: Water Quality Yale License Application Exhibit E: Aquatic Resources Yale License Application Exhibit E: Terrestrial Resources Yale License Application Exhibit E: Cultural Resources Yale License Application Exhibit E: Recreation Resources Yale License Application Exhibit E: Land Management and Use Yale License Application Exhibit E: Aesthetics/Visual Resources Yale License Application Exhibit E: AppendicesYale License Application Exhibit F: General Design Drawings (CONFIDENTIAL - available upon appropriate request)
Yale License Application Exhibit G: Maps of Projects Yale License Application Exhibit H: Response to Information
- Yale Relicensing Final Technical Reports
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Yale Final Technical Report - Aquatics Yale Final Technical Report - Aquatics Appendices Yale Final Technical Report - Recreation Yale Final Technical Report - Recreation Appendices
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Comments on the BPA I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Project November 2012 Draft Environmental Impact Statement - March 20, 2013
Letter addressed to BPA -
Comments on the BPA I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Project November 2012 Draft Environmental Impact Statement - March 20, 2013
Letter addressed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Relicensing Reports
Water Quality
- Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Study & Appendices
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Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Study Appendix 1: Daily summary statistics of hourly temperature measurements Appendix 2: Plots of minimum and maximum temperatures Appendix 3: Percent exceedence analyses for hourly temperature measurements Appendix 4: Percent exceedence analyses for diel temperature fluctuations Appendix 5: Results of laboratory analyses for Lewis River monitoring sites Appendix 6: Results of in situ measurements at Lewis River monitoring sites, May 1999 - April 2000
- Total Dissoved Gas Study & Appendices
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Appendix 2: Weekly total dissolved gas measurements Appendix 3: Vertical profiles of temperature and dissolved oxygen
Aquatics
- AQU 1
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Report on Life History, Habitat Requirements, and Distribution of Aquatic Analysis Species Report
- AQU 2
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Swift Bypass Reach Instream Flow Study Report Appendix 1: Habitat suitability criteria for Swift bypass reach and meeting participants Appendix 2: Hydraulic simulations Appendix 3: WUA vs. flow for anadromous species in the Swift bypass reach
- AQU 3
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Merwin Streamflow and Ramping Rate Report Appendix 1: Article 49 of the Merwin License Appendix 2: Merwin Flow Calculation Methodology Appendix 3: Species Periodicity in Relation to Flows Downstream of Merwin Dam Appendix 5: Photographs of the Lewis River Ramping Rate Sites
- AQU 4
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- AQU 5
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Engineering Feasibility of Fish Passage Facilities Report Appendix 1: Engineering Feasibility Study for Fish Passage Facilities - Phase 2
- AQU 6
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- AQU 7
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- AQU 8
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- AQU 9
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- AQU 10
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- AQU 11
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- AQU 12
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- AQU 13
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- AQU 14A
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Migratory Behavior of Radio-tagged Juvenile Coho Salmon through Swift Reservoir, 2001 Report Appendix 1: Location of Radio-tagged Juvenile Coho Salmon in Swift Reservoir
- AQU 14B
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Migratory Behavior of Radio-tagged Juvenile Chinook Salmon through Swift Reservoir, 2002 Report Appendix 1: Location of Radio-tagged Juvenile Chinook Salmon in Swift Reservoir
- AQU 15
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- AQU 16
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- AQU 17
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- AQU 18
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Lewis River Fish Planning Document Appendix B: Salmon Popcycle Model Structure Instruction for Use and Assumptions Appendix C: Sensitivity Analysis of Popcycle Parameter Effects on Predicted Population Size Appendix D: Lewis River Hatchery Review Appendix E: Upper Lewis EDT Analysis Appendix G: A Conceptual Foundation for the Management of the Lewis River Salmonid Populations
- AQU 19
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- TER 1
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- TER 2
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TER 2 Report
Habitat Evaluation Procedure TER 2 Appendix 1
HEP Team meeting notes TER 2 Appendix 2
Lewis River HEP Models TER 2 Appendix 3
Datasheets TER 2 Appendix 4
|Snag and shrub statistics TER 2 Appendix 5
Successional rules TER 2 Appendix 6
AAHU calculations by habitat and segment
- TER 3
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TER 3 Report
Analysis Species Assessment TER 3 Appendix 1
Species/habitat associations
- TER 4
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TER 4 Report
Botanical surveys TER 4 Appendix 1
TES plant species
- TER 5
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- TER 6
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- TER 7
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- TER 8
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TER 8 Report
Forest Harvest Practices Assessment TER 8 Appendix 1
Glossary of terms
- TER 9
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Cultural
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CUL 1
Traditional Cultural Properties Inventory and Assessment -
CUL 2
Archaeological Resources Inventory and Assessment -
CUL 3
Historical Hydroelectric Structures Inventory and Assessment -
CUL 4
Historical Non-hydroelectric Structures Inventory and Assessment -
CUL 5
Assessment of Impacts of Project Alternatives on National Register Eligible Cultural Resources -
CUL 6
Preparation of Cultural Resource Management Plan (CRMP) -
CUL 7
Historic Properties Management Plan (HPMP) - March 2004 -
CUL 8
Historic Properties Management Plan (HPMP) Interim Revisions, January 2009
Recreation
- REC 1
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REC 1 Report
Recreation Supply Analysis
- REC 2
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REC 2 Report
Recreation Demand Analysis REC 2 Appendix 1
Recreation Demand Analysis (EDAW Report)
- REC 3
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- REC 4
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- REC 5
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REC 5 Report
Recreation Capacity and Suitability Analysis REC 5 Appendix 1
Recreation Capacity and Suitability Analysis (EDAW Report) REC 5 Appendix 2
Trail Feasibility Study (EDAW Report)
- REC 6
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REC 6 Report
Recreation Needs Analysis REC 6 Appendix 1
Recreation Needs Analysis (EDAW Report)
- REC 7
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Land Use
Aesthetic/Visual Resources
Socioeconomics
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SOC 1 Report
Socioeconomics Resource Study -
SOC 1 Appendix 1
Text of RCW 54.28.050 -
SOC 1 Appendix 2
Descriptive text of money generation model
Flood Management
License Implementation
Project License
FERC order issuing new license regarding Lewis River Merwin Project P-935, Yale Project P-2071, Swift No. 1 Project P-2111 and Swift No. 2 Project P-2213, dated June 26, 2008.
Aquatics Coordination Committee (ACC)
- Aquatics Coordination Committee - 2014
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2014 Meeting Notes & Agendas
2013/2014 Aquatic Fund Full Proposals
USDA Forest Service - Muddy River Tributary near Hoo Hoo Bridge (PDF)
USDA Forest Service Muddy River Tributary near Hoo Hoo Bridge PresentationUSDA Forest Service - Lewis River Alcove near 90480 Road (PDF)
USDA Forest Service Lewis River Alcove near 90480 Road PresentationLower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group - Haapa Habitat Enhancement (PDF)
Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group - Haapa Habitat Enhancement Presentation2013/2014 Aquatic Fund Pre-Proposals
Cowlitz Indian Tribe - Eagle Island Knotweed Expedition (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Muddy River Tributary near Hoo Hoo Bridge (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Lewis River Alcove near 90480 Road (PDF)
Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group - Eagle Island/North Channel Restoration (PDF)
Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group - Haapa Habitat Enhancement (PDF)
- Aquatics Coordination Committee - 2013
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2013 Meeting Notes & Agendas
2012/2013 Aquatic Fund Full Proposals
USDA Forest Service - Lewis River Side Channel near Little Creek (PDF)
Lewis River Side Channel near Little Creek PresentationUSDA Forest Service - Muddy River Tributary near Hoo Hoo Bridge (PDF)
Muddy River Tributary near Hoo Hoo Bridge PresentationUSDA Forest Service - (PDF)Little Creek Fish Habitat Restoration (PDF)
Little Creek Fish Habitat Restoration PresentationUSDA Forest Service - Survey of Bull Trout Stream Habitat (PDF)
Survey of Bull Trout Stream Habitat PresentationLCFEG - Cedar Creek Reach 1A Restoration (PDF)
Cedar Creek Reach 1A Restoration Presentation2012/2013 Aquatic Fund Pre-Proposals
USDA Forest Service - Lewis River Side Channel near Little Creek (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Muddy River Tributary near Hoo Hoo Bridge (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Little Creek Fish Habitat Restoration (PDF)
Little Creek Photos, courtesy of USDA Forest Service and PacifiCorpUSDA Forest Service - Survey of Bull Trout Stream Habitat (PDF)
LCFEG - Eagle Island North Channel Restoration (PDF)
LCFEG - Cedar Creek Reach 1A Restoration (PDF)
ACC Shared Documents
Acclimation Pond Operations Manual - Muddy River and Clear Creek
- Aquatics Coordination Committee - 2012
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2012 Meeting Agendas
2012 Final Meeting Notes
2012 Aquatic Fund Proposals - Power Point Presentations
Gifford Pinchot Task Force - Rush Creek Instream Pilot Project Habitat Restoration (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Clearwater Creek Instream Habitat Restoration (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Lewis River Side Channel III Instream Habitat Restoration (PDF)
2012 Aquatic Fund Full Proposals
Gifford Pinchot Task Force - Rush Creek Insteam Pilot Project Habitat Restoration (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Clearwater Creek Instream Habitat Restoration (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Lewis River Side Channel III Instream Habitat Restoration (PDF)
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife - Upper Lewis River Spawning Grounds and Habitat Restoration Inventory (PDF)
2012 Aquatic Fund Pre-Proposals
Gifford Pinchot Task Force - Rush Creek Side Channel Restoration Pilot Project (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Clearwater Creek Instream Habitat Restoration (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Lewis River Side Channel III Habitat Restoration (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Muddy River Floodplain Culvert Cleanup (PDF)
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife - Upper Lewis River Bull Trout Spawning Habitat Inventory (PDF)
ACC Shared Documents
Bull Trout Investigations Presentation (Jim Byrne-WDFW) Bull Trout Monitoring Results Presentation (Jeremiah Doyle-PacifiCorp)
- Aquatics Coordination Committee - 2011
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ACC Meeting Agendas
ACC Final Meeting Notes
2011 Aquatic Fund Full Proposals
Cowlitz Indian Tribe - Eagle Island Habitat Enhancement (PDF)
Cowlitz Indian Tribe - Eagle Island Habitat Enhancement Site B Map (PDF)
Cowlitz Indian Tribe - Eagle Island Habitat Enhancement Site C Map (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Lewis River Side Channel Near Muddy River Instream Habitat Restoration (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Muddy River Mainstem Restoration (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Muddy River Side Channel Restoration (PDF)
2011 Aquatic Fund Pre-Proposals
Cowlitz Indian Tribe - Eagle Island Habitat Enhancement - Sites B and C (PDF)
Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group - NF Lewis RM 13.5 Side-Channel Habitat Enhancement (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - 2011 Pine Creek Nutrient Enhancement by Snowcats and Snowmobiles (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Muddy River Mainstem Channel Restoration (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Rush Creek Side Channel Restoration (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Muddy River Side Channel Restoration (PDF)
USDA Forest Service - Lewis River Side Channel Near Muddy River Instream Habitat Restoration (PDF)
ACC Shared Documents
Lewis River Stranding Study Report - June 2011 Lewis River Acclimation Pond Design Submittal - June 2011Lewis River Aquatic Fund Project Closeout Report Documents
Eagle Island Site A Habitat Restoration Project Closeout Report Eagle Island Site A Stamped Drawings (Attachment) Clear Creek Instream Habitat Restoration Project Closeout Report Dispersed Campsites and Road Decommissioning Project Closeout ReportACC Final Documents
- Aquatics Coordination Committee - 2010
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ACC Meeting Agendas
1-14-10 Meeting AgendaACC Final Meeting Notes
ACC Shared Documents
Lower Lewis River Release Pond 90% Non-site Specific Design, September 2010ACC Final Documents
Lewis River Hatchery & Supplemenation Program 2009 Annual Report, June 2010 Lewis River Aquatic Monitoring and Evaluation Plan - June 2010 Lewis River 2010 Habitat Preparation Plan, May 2010 Lewis River (Revised) Bull Trout Annual Operations Plan, May 2010 Lewis River 2009 Annual Bull Trout Monitoring Report, May 2010
- Aquatics Coordination Committee - 2009
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ACC Meeting Agendas
ACC Final Meeting NotesACC Shared Documents Lewis River Swift Downstream Collection Preliminary Engineering 90% Design Report - June 2009
This document is password protected Lewis River Merwin Upstream Collection & Transport FacilityEngineering 90% Design Report - June 2009
This document is password protected.ACC Final Documents
- Aquatics Coordination Committee - 2008
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ACC Meeting Agendas
1-30-08 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Agenda 3-14-08 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Agenda 4-8-08 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Agenda 4-28-08 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Agenda 6-4-08 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Agenda 7-16-08 Engineering Subgroup Meeting AgendaACC Final Meeting Notes
ACC Final Documents
ACC Shared Documents
- Aquatics Coordination Committee - 2007
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ACC Meeting Agendas
1-5-07 Habitat Prioritization Synthesis Agenda 1-19-07 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 1-30-07 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 2-16-07 Habitat Prioritization Synthesis Agenda 2-26-07 ACC-HGMP Subgroup Agenda 3-9-07 Habitat Prioritization Synthesis Agenda 3-13-07 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 4-26-07 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 5-31-07 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 7-10-07 Engineering Subgroup Agenda (PDF) 9-27-07 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 11-2-07 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 12-19-07 Engineering Subgroup AgendaACC Final Meeting Notes
1-5-07 Habitat Prioritization Synthesis Meeting Notes 1-30-07 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 2-16-07 Habitat Prioritization Synthesis Meeting Notes 3-9-07 Habitat Prioritization Synthesis Meeting Notes 3-13-07 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 4-26-07 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 5-31-07 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 7-10-07 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 8-17-07 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 9-27-07 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 11-2-07 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 12-19-07 Engineering Subgroup Meeting NotesACC Shared Documents
Fish Passage Monitoring and Evaluation Plan PowerPoint Presentation 12-13-07 Lewis River Fish Passage Draft M&E Plan, October 2007 Merwin Upstream Trap Draft Study Plan - September 2007 Merwin Trap Evaluation - Phase 1 and Phase 2 Testing Procedures Lewis River LWD Assessment (Draft) 10-1-07ACC Final Documents
Merwin Tailrace Fish Behavior Study - February 8, 2007 Merwin and Swift Creek Reservoir Tributary Sterams Bull Trout Limiting Factors Analysis - May 30, 2007Engineering Subgroup Meeting 7-10-07
Net-Curtain Layouts on CFD Runs - Subgroup Yale Entrainment Study PowerPoint - May 10, 2007 Yale Hydroelectric Project Entrainment Report - May 1, 2007Acclimation Pond Site Tour Photos 4-13-07
Clear Creek
Clear Creek Upper Right Bank 1
Clear Creek Upper Right Bank 2
Crab Creek
Curly Creek
Curly Creek Downstream of Bridge
Curly Creek Parking Lot and Right Bank
Lower Falls
Muddy River
Recolonization of O. mykiss PowerPoint - April 12, 2007ACC 3-8-07 Meeting
Swift Downstream Passage (SA 4.4.1) Lewis River Aquatic Fund - ACC & Utilities Final Comments of 2006/2007 Project Proposals Lewis River Aquatic Funding Tables as of 12-31-06 Lower Constructed Channel Habitat Options - NHC Lewis River Bull Trout Monitoring Program Results Swift Constructed Channel Concept Design - Final Draft Report, Feb 2007 Annual Bull Trout Monitoring Report - 2006 Annual Bull Trout Monitoring Plan - 2007Bull Trout Limiting Factors Analysis Presentation 2-8-07
Bull Trout Limiting Factors Analysis Power Point Bull Trout Limiting Factors Analysis 70% Draft Report Swift FSC Design Criteria and Evaluation / Response Adjustments and Modifications 1-31-07
- Aquatics Coordination Committee - 2006
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ACC Meeting Agendas
2-7-06 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 3-7-06 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 4-12-06 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 5-17-06 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 5-30-06 H&S Plan Subgroup Meeting Agenda 6-26-06 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 8-8-06 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 9-18-06 Hatchery Engineering Subgroup Agenda 9-25-06 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 10-31-06 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 11-30-06 Engineering Subgroup Agenda 12-12-06 Engineering Subgroup Agenda
ACC Meeting Notes 2-7-06 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 3-7-06 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 4-12-06 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 5-17-06 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 6-26-06 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 8-8-06 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 9-25-06 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 10-31-06 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 12-12-06 Engineering Subgroup Meeting NotesACC Final Documents
Bull Trout Limiting Factors Analysis - Final Study Plan 9/19/06 Lewis River Spawning Gravel Evaluation - Final Year One Report - April 2006
- Aquatics Coordination Committee - 2005
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ACC Meeting Agendas
ACC Final Meeting Notes
3-22-05 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 5-4-05 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes 8-30-05 Engineering Subgroup Meeting Notes
ACC Final Documents
Terrestrial and Aquatic Coordination Committees Structure and Ground Rules
Terrestrial Coordination Committee (TCC)
- Terrestrial Coordination Committee - 2014
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- Terrestrial Coordination Committee - 2013
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TCC Meeting Notes & Agendas
7-10-13 Meeting (Cancelled)
8-14-13 Meeting (Cancelled)
10-9-13 Meeting (Cancelled)
- Terrestrial Coordination Committee - 2012
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TCC Meeting Notes & Agendas
3-14 & 3-15-12 Meeting (includes field notes)7-11-12 Meeting (Cancelled)
8-8-12 Meeting (Cancelled)
9-12-12 Meeting (Cancelled)
TCC Final Documents
- Terrestrial Coordination Committee - 2011
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TCC Meeting Notes & Agendas
- Terrestrial Coordination Committee - 2010
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TCC Meeting Agendas
September Meeting CANCELLED
TCC Final Meeting Notes
September Meeting CANCELLED
TCC Shared Documents
Wildlife Habitat Management Plan Snags - July 2010TCC Final Documents
Lewis River Bald Eagle Management Plan, August 2010 (this document is password protected) Lewis River WHMP Annual Plan for Operation Phase 2010 - May, 2010
- Terrestrial Coordination Committee - 2009
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TCC Meeting Agendas
TCC Final Meeting NotesTCC Final Documents
- Terrestrial Coordination Committee - 2008
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TCC Meeting Agendas
TCC Final Meeting Notes
TCC Final DocumentsTCC Shared Documents
- Terrestrial Coordination Committee - 2007
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TCC Meeting Agendas
TCC Final Meeting NotesTCC Shared Documents
- Terrestrial Coordination Committee - 2006
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TCC Meeting Agendas
TCC Meeting Notes
TCC Final Documents
- Terrestrial Coordination Committee - 2005
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TCC Meeting Agendas
12-12-05 Meeting Agenda
TCC Final Meeting Notes
TCC Final Documents Terrestrial and Aquatic Coordination Committees Structure and Ground Rules
ACC & TCC Meeting Schedule
ACC/TCC Annual Reports
- 2013 ACC/TCC Annual Report
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Attachment O - Lewis River Wildlife Habitat Management Plan 2014 Annual Plan Attachment P - Lewis River Wildlife Habitat Management Plan 2013 Annual Report
- 2012 ACC/TCC Annual Report
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- 2011 ACC/TCC Annual Report
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Recreation Advisory Committee (LRC)
Recreation Resource Management Plan
Recreation Resource Management Plan - June 2008
- Recreation Advisory Committee - 2013
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- Recreation Advisory Committee - 2012
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Recreation Advisory Committee Meetings
Yale Lake IP Road Trail Implementation Plan and Technical Assessment Report, December 2012 (PDF)
- Recreation Advisory Committee - 2010
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Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Agendas
Recreation Advisory Committee Shared Documents
Lewis River Interpretive & Education Plan, April 2010 Lewis River Dispersed Campsites Program: Dispersed Site Monitoring Report - January 2010 (Volume 1) Lewis River Dispersed Campsites Program: Dispersed Site Monitoring Report - January 2010 (Volume 2) Lewis River Dispersed Campsites Program: Dispersed Site Monitoring Report - January 2010 (Volume 3)
- Recreation Advisory Committee - 2009
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Recreation Advisory Committee Shared Documents
- Recreation Advisory Committee - 2008
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PRESS RELEASE - Trout season opening delayed at Swift Reservoir, 4-11-08
Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Agendas
Recreation Advisory Committee Shared Documents
- Recreation Advisory Committee - 2007
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Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Agendas
Shoreline Management Plan (SMP)
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Lewis River Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) - January 2014
The FERC approved the SMP on January 16, 2014.
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Lewis River Shoreline Use Permitting Information & Application Handbook - January 2014
- SMP Meeting Public Comments
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- SMP Shared Documents
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Construction for Lewis River Fish Passage Projects
Overview
Construction work began in April 2011 on new fish passage facilities at the 510-megawatt Lewis River project in Southwest Washington. The new facilities will collect adult fish at Merwin Dam and transport them upstream of Swift Dam where they will be released and can move up the river to spawn. As their young begin migrating to the ocean, they will be collected at Swift Dam by a floating surface collector and transported by truck downstream to a release facility in the lower river. When complete, these projects will open up 117 miles of salmon and steelhead habitat upstream of Swift.
- Merwin Upstream Collection and Transport Facility
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This project has five main parts:
- Attraction water system
- Fish ladder & hoist
- Holding tank
- Sorting facility
- Truck loading
How does the system work?
Adult fish return to the Lewis River and are attracted to the intake facility by river water coming out at a steady stream, which mimics a natural current and leads the fish away from the working parts of the dam and power house where the fish could be injured.The fish follow this current up a short fish ladder that ends in a trap basket on a hoist that delivers the fish to the holding tank and sorting facility. The fish are sorted based on species, origin (hatchery or wild fish), and point of origin if that can be determined (by tags or fin clips).
Once sorted, fish are loaded onto specially designed trucks that take them to the hatchery or upstream of the dams to be released and allowed to spawn naturally in the stream beds of the Lewis River and its tributaries.
- Swift Reservoir Fish Facility
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This project has four main parts:
- Floating Surface Collector
- Net system
- Mooring tower
- Access trestle
How does the project work?
Juvenile fish, the offspring of the salmon and steelhead that spawned upstream, will come downstream through the reservoir as they migrate to the ocean.
Given the attraction to downstream current, the juvenile fish will move towards the Floating Surface Collector which re-circulates water to simulate a lake outlet. The net system and the Floating Surface Collector will attract these fish, which are typically 3 - 6 inches long at this stage in life, into a collection area. The fish are collected and gently transported from the facility on specially design trucks via the access trestle. The juvenile fish are then trucked around the dams and released downstream of Merwin to continue their journey to the sea.
The Floating Surface Collector will be located just off the south end of the Swift dam, anchored by the mooring tower and connected to the dam by an access trestle. The mooring tower and access trestle are supported on piles, and the Floating Surface Collector rises and falls with the reservoir level.
Swift Reservoir fish facilty fact sheetHow will this affect me?
The construction for the Swift Reservoir Fish Facility will be staged from Swift Forest Camp and Swift Dam and will result in some disruptions and closures to recreation facilities. Check this webpage for updates on closure information.
Because the Floating Surface Collector is being constructed at Swift Forest Camp, it will need to be floated down the reservior to be installed to the mooring towers. This will be done in the following manner:
- When the reservoir is low in late winter/early spring of 2012, the Floating Surface Collector will be rolled on a specialized dolly system onto on the dry reservoir bed.
- The dolly system will be removed and the Floating Surface Collector will be place on support blocks.
- As the reservoir refills for summer of 2012, the Floating Surface Collector will float and then be towed toward Swift Dam for attachment to the Mooring Tower Structure.
Please continue to check our website for more updates about closures, restrictions, and overall construction progress!
Construction Status
The construction for the Swift Reservoir Fish Facility will be staged from Swift Forest Camp and Swift Dam and will result in some disruptions and closures to recreation activities. Check the links below for updates on closure information.
Swift Dam is now open to pedestrian access.
- Merwin Upstream Collection and Transport Facility
- Swift Reservoir Fish Facility