June 9th, 2008
Puget Sound Energy Hosts SkagitFACT at Dams
Puget Sound Energy Hosts SkagitFACT at DamsPuget Sound Energy recently hosted a group of nearly 40 concerned citizens to both their Upper and Lower Baker River Dams to discuss flooding issues and how the dams are related to flooding on the Skagit River. PSE gave participants, mostly members of SkagitFACT, an advisory group committed to flood awareness and education, an up-close look at their state-of-the-art fish hatchery program, as well as background on the functioning of the dams.
The Baker River Dams affect Skagit River Flooding because the Baker River is a tributary to the Skagit River. Flood storage on the Baker Dams influence how much water, in a flood event, makes it to the Skagit.
The Lower Baker River Dam was commissioned for service in 1925, and the Upper Baker River Dam in 1959. Both dams serve as back-up power generators for Puget Sound Energy - when they need more power than they can generate from dams on the Columbia River and coal operations.
Upper and Lower Baker River Dams are also hosts to elaborate fish hatchery projects, designed to improve the populations of salmon and steelhead. PSE has plans to expand the fish hatchery projects over the next several years.
PSE has recently submitted for re-licensing of the dams to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. As a part of this re-licensing, PSE worked with the Army Corps of Engineers, which will make the final recommendation on flood storage. Increased flood storage behind the Baker Dams could mean a great deal of relief to the Skagit Valley during a major flood event.
The Baker River Dams affect Skagit River Flooding because the Baker River is a tributary to the Skagit River. Flood storage on the Baker Dams influence how much water, in a flood event, makes it to the Skagit.
The Lower Baker River Dam was commissioned for service in 1925, and the Upper Baker River Dam in 1959. Both dams serve as back-up power generators for Puget Sound Energy - when they need more power than they can generate from dams on the Columbia River and coal operations.
Upper and Lower Baker River Dams are also hosts to elaborate fish hatchery projects, designed to improve the populations of salmon and steelhead. PSE has plans to expand the fish hatchery projects over the next several years.
PSE has recently submitted for re-licensing of the dams to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. As a part of this re-licensing, PSE worked with the Army Corps of Engineers, which will make the final recommendation on flood storage. Increased flood storage behind the Baker Dams could mean a great deal of relief to the Skagit Valley during a major flood event.