Effects of Flushing Spencer Hydro on Water Quality, Fish, and Insect Fauna in the Niobrara River, Nebraska
- 1 January 1982
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in North American Journal of Fisheries Management
- Vol. 2 (1) , 45-52
- https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8659(1982)2<45:eofsho>2.0.co;2
Abstract
Hydroelectric facilities with a low generating capacity (approximately one megawatt) such as Spencer Hydro on the Niobrara River in Nebraska are important, as referenced by the renewed interest in the revival of many that were deactivated with the advent of large fossil fuel and nuclear generating stations. The water reservoir impounded by the Spencer Dam is shallow and entrapped sediment quickly fills the pond, reducing power generating potential and threatening the internal components of the hydro station. This action requires periodic flushings to allow settled sediment to move past the station, resulting in adverse impacts on water quality, fish, and fish-food organisms in the 63.3 km of Niobrara River downstream from the dam. Investigations in 1979 revealed unacceptable low levels of DO (3.5-4.0 mg/liter), pronounced increases in turbidity (>400%) and suspended solids (4-fold), and a doubling of dissolved solids. Thirty species of fish were affected, with a conservative count of 22,471 dead ...Keywords
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