In conjunction with the staff at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, WA., staff under Keith Wolf’s direction also conducted a multi-year research study into the contemporary effects of hydroelectric operations on juvenile anadromous and resident fish species in the Hanford Reach. The science group developed statistical and computer modeled results for presentation, peer review and management purposes.
This effort was supported by field studies and aided by satellite imagery, 2D unsteady flow modeling and mapping to determine the extent of fish stranding caused by hydropower peaking or load following operational regimes. The resulting Hanford Reach Fish Stranding Settlement resulted in codified updates to the 1988 Vernita Bar Agreement. This agreement, and its fish and wildlife mitigation actions, have been incorporated into subsequent FERC relicensing applications for all five mid-Columbia mainstem projects.