brian giesbrecht - province of manitoba...2014 10 30 mr. rob matthews manager, water use licensing...

360 Portage Ave (16) Winnipeg Manitoba Canada R3C 0G8 Telephone / No de téléphone : 204-360-3018 Fax / No de télécopieur : 204-360-6136

[email protected]

2014 10 30 Mr. Rob Matthews Manager, Water Use Licensing Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship Box 16 - 200 Saulteaux Crescent Winnipeg MANITOBA R3J 3W3 Dear Mr. Matthews: GRAND RAPIDS WATER POWER SHORT-TERM EXTENSION LICENCE REQUEST We request a five year short-term extension licence for the Grand Rapids Generating Station under the provisions of Section 92(1) of Water Power Regulation 25/88R. We have included a Short Term Extension Report as supporting documentation and will continue to work with your Section to address this Water Power licence. Manitoba Hydro continues to operate the Grand Rapids Generating Station in accordance with the Final Licence issued on May 30, 1975 under the Water Power Act. The Final Licence expires on January 2, 2015. Manitoba Hydro requested a renewal licence on December 17, 2010. However, due to licensing requirements for other projects, Manitoba Hydro is requesting a short-term extension licence to allow the licence renewal to occur at a later date. Please call me at 204-360-3018 if you need additional information. Yours truly, pp: Brian Giesbrecht W.V. Penner, P. Eng. Manager Hydraulic Operations Department Encl. MJD/sl/ 00112-07311-0014_00

WATER POWER ACT LICENCES GRAND RAPIDS GENERATING STATION SHORT TERM LICENCE EXTENSION APPLICATION SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION Prepared for: Manitoba Water Stewardship 200 Saulteaux Crescent Winnipeg MB R3J 3W3 Prepared by: Manitoba Hydro 360 Portage Avenue Winnipeg MB R3C 0G8 October 29, 2014

Report No: PS&O – 14/08

HYDRAULIC OPERATIONS DEPARTMENTPOWER SALES & OPERATIONS DIVISION

GENERATION OPERATIONS

WATER POWER ACT LICENCESGRAND RAPIDS SHORT TERM LICENCE EXTENSION

APPLICATION

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Certificate of Authorization

Manitoba Hydro

No.38 Date: Q0~4 tO 2.ciDATE: 20141029

PREPARED BY:

REVIEWED BY:

APPROVED BY:

NOTED BY:2APiCfl

P. CHANEL

~SBREcHT

W PENNER

àMIE

REPORT NO: PS&O~ 14/08

Originally signed by P.Chanel

Originally signed by P.Chanel

Originally signed by B.W. Giesbrecht

Originally signed by W.V. Penner

Originally signed by D. Cormie

1.0 INTRODUCTION This report provides information in support of a short-term extension licence application. Manitoba Hydro requests this extension licence in accordance with Section 92 of The Water Power Regulation, Manitoba Regulation 25/88R of The Water Power Act. Manitoba Hydro operates the Grand Rapids Generating Station (GS) in accordance with the Final Licence for the Development of Water Power at the Grand Rapids site on the Saskatchewan River. This licence was issued in accordance with the provisions of The Water Power Act on May 30, 1975 following completion of the second stage of this development. The licence was issued for a term of 50 years to be computed from January 2, 1965. Manitoba Hydro requested a renewal licence on December 17, 2010. However due to licensing requirements for other projects, Manitoba Hydro is requesting a short-term extension licence to allow the license renewal to occur at a later date.

2.0 PROJECT COMPONENTS 2.1 Grand Rapids Generating Station The Grand Rapids GS is located at the outlet of the Saskatchewan River into Lake Winnipeg as shown in Figure 1 and is approximately 400 km (250 miles) northwest of the City of Winnipeg. An overall site map outlining the layout of the major project components is shown in Figure 2, and Photograph 1 shows the Grand Rapids GS powerhouse. The Grand Rapids GS consists of a powerhouse, spillway and dykes and has a name plate capacity of 479 MW (642,000 hp). The station was constructed from January 1960 to November 1968, with the first turbine generator unit generating power by 1965. The station components include a four unit powerhouse fed by concrete encased penstocks that originate in the intake structure above the powerhouse, a four bay gated spillway, and approximately 25.7 km (16.0 miles) of earth-filled dykes. The penstocks are approximately 69.5 m (228 ft) in length and have an inner diameter of 8.8 m (29 ft). The earth-filled dykes extend for 16.4 km (10.2 miles) upstream along the south shore and 9.4 km (5.8 miles) upstream along the north shore. Figures 3 and 4 show the general arrangement of the concrete structures. Table 1 summarizes major characteristics of the generating station.

Grand Rapids GS Short Term Licence Extension Supporting Documentation

Table 1: Grand Rapids GS Major Characteristics Construction Period 1960 to 1968 Capability 479 MW (642,000 hp) Average Annual Generation 1,580 million kW-h Waterfall Drop (head) 36.6 m (120.1 ft) Maximum Licence Forebay Elevation 256.6 m (842.0 ft) Maximum Operating Forebay Elevation (MOFE) 256.6 m (842.0 ft) Available Freeboard @ MOFE - Concrete Structures 3.05 m (10.0 ft) Available Freeboard @ MOFE - Earth Structures 2.44 m (8.0 ft)

Table 2 summarizes major characteristics of the Grand Rapids powerhouse, spillway, and earth-filled dykes. Table 2: Grand Rapids GS Component Characteristics

Powerhouse

Number of Units 4 units Length 152.0 m (498.7 ft) Deck Elevation 221.7 m (727.5 ft) Discharge Capability (at full gate) 1,500 m3/s (53,000 ft3/s)

Power Production1 Units 1, 2, 3 122.3 MW (164,000 hp) Unit 4 111.9 MW (150,000 hp)

Spillway

Number of Bays 4 bays Length 116 m (380.6 ft) Deck Elevation 260.0 m (853.0 ft) Discharge Capability (at MOFE) 3,940 m3/s (139,000 ft3/s)

Earthfill Dykes

Length - Dyke 1 South 4,115 m (13,500 ft) Length - Dyke 2 South 5,898 m (19,345 ft) Length - Dyke 3 South 3,749 m (12,297 ft) Length - Dyke 3A South 439 m (1,440 ft) Length - Dyke 4 South 2,203 m (7,230 ft) Length - Cross Lake 1 131 m (430 ft) Length - Cross Lake 2 206 m (675 ft) Length - Cross Lake 3 402 m (1320 ft) Length - Cross Lake 4 213 m (700 ft) Length - Cross Lake 5 614 m (2015 ft) Length - Cross Lake 6 358 m (1175 ft) Length - Dyke 1 North 2,188 m (7,178 ft) Length - Dyke 2 North 5334 m (17,500 ft) Design Crest Elevation (minimum) 259.1 m (850 ft)

1 Units 1 to 3 received major overhauls, and the replacement of turbine runners from 1995 to 2001. Each unit was originally rated for a power production of 111.9 MW (150,000 hp).


2.2 Moose Lake Narrows Control Structure The Moose Lake Narrows Control Structure is located approximately 105 km (65 miles) northwest of the Grand Rapids GS and 75 km (47 miles) northeast of The Pas, as shown in Figure 1. The structure is located in the channel connecting North and South Moose Lakes and was designed to afford some protection upstream of the structure during times when Grand Rapids operations cause Cedar Lake to rise to its maximum storage capacity. The control structure forms a portion of the northern boundary of the Grand Rapids GS reservoir. Construction of the control structure was completed in 1964, and includes eight stop log sluiceways that are 4.88 m (16 ft) wide for a total structure length of approximately 37.8 m (124 ft). Stop logs are inserted or removed in order to open or close the structure, and regulate the quantity and direction of flow through the Narrows. Sluices 1 and 8 were permanently closed with fill in May 1991 to keep the end walls of the structure from moving inward, leaving six operating sluices. In July 2004, one of the operating sluices was modified to function as a fishway. The fishway has all logs in place except for the bottom log to allow fish passage through the structure at all times throughout the year. Associated with the structure is about 900 m (3000 ft) of earthen dyke armoured by quarried limestone. Photograph 2 provides a picture of the Moose Lake Narrows CS. Manitoba Hydro operates the Moose Lake Narrows Control Structure in accordance with Rules of Operation (April 1985) put in place by the Department of Natural Resources to prevent negative effects from high water levels on Cedar and South Moose Lakes. 2.3 Red Earth Dam and Lamb’s Trail Dyke The Red Earth Dam is a controls structure located approximately 110 km (70 miles) northwest of the Grand Rapids GS, as shown in Figure 1. The Lamb’s Trail Dyke is located 2.4 km (1.5 miles) north of the Red Earth Dam. These two structures form a portion of the northern boundary of the Grand Rapids GS reservoir. The purpose of the control structure and dyke is to isolate Red Earth Lake from the Grand Rapids forebay, since the impoundment of water in the Grand Rapids GS forebay affects the water levels on the lake. Manitoba Hydro is responsible for preventing water from flowing into the wildlife management area north of the Summerberry River when Saskatchewan River flows as measured at The Pas are less than 2435 m3/s (86,000 ft3/s) and the forebay elevation is less than 256.6 m (842 feet). Construction of both structures was completed in 1964. The Red Earth Dam consists of a small timber sluiceway located at a natural outlet of Red Earth Lake, as shown in Photograph 3, and the Lamb’s Trail Dyke consists of a tiny freeboard dyke near the east


shore of the lake. Both structures were built and initially operated by Manitoba Hydro, but are now operated by Ducks Unlimited. 2.4 One Man Dam The One Man Dam is a control structure located just upstream of the Red Earth Dam, as shown in Figure 1. It is a simple flow control structure consisting of four culverts across a short excavated drainage channel, as shown in Photograph 4. The drainage channel allows for the control of water levels on three small, interconnected lakes adjacent to the north bank of the Summerberry River, upstream of Cedar Lake. The purpose of the control structure and dyke is to isolate One Man Lake from the Grand Rapids forebay, since the impoundment of water in the Grand Rapids GS forebay affects the water levels on the lake. Manitoba Hydro is responsible for preventing water from flowing into the wildlife management area north of the Summerberry River when Saskatchewan River flows as measured at The Pas are less than 2435 m3/s (86,000 ft3/s) and the forebay elevation is less than 256.6 m (842 feet). The One Man Dam was built and is operated by Ducks Unlimited.

3.0 WATER POWER LICENSING REQUIREMENTS 3.1 Licence Terms Condition #2 of the Final Licence stipulates that:

“The undertaking authorized to be maintained and operated by the Licensee under this Final License shall comprise the following: ... a concrete and steel clad powerhouse with four main turbines, each of 150,000 horsepower capacity...”

The initial capacity of each of the four units was 150,000 horsepower. Between 1995 and 2001, three of the four units were refurbished with increased capacity to 164,000 horsepower. The short-term license extension would include the new generating station capacity of 642,000 horsepower. Condition #5 of the Final Licence stipulates that:

“The Licensee shall not raise the headwater of its development to an elevation higher than 842.0 [feet above mean sea level, Canadian Geodetic Datum 1929 Adjustment].”


Manitoba Hydro operates the Grand Rapids GS so that the forebay water level does not exceed 256.6 m (842 feet). The only period when the water level exceeded this limit was from August 14 to 31, 1966. 3.2 Licence Area The licence area within the severance line shown in Figure 1 covers approximately 7,500 square km (2,900 square miles) upstream of the Grand Rapids GS. Included as part of the license area are Cedar Lake, South Moose Lake, Cross Bay, and Kelsey Lake. The license area is regulated by three control structures: Moose Lake Narrows Control Structure, Red Earth Dam, and One Man Dam. North of the license area is a provincial Water Power Reserve, as shown in Figure 1. Included as part of the reserve area are North Moose Lake, Cormorant Lake, and Mawdesley Lake. 4.0 MONITORING PROGRAMS 4.1 Water Levels Cedar Lake elevation is recorded by Manitoba Hydro near Oleson Point at station 05KL005. Water Survey of Canada previously operated this gauge which is now operated by Manitoba Hydro as part of the Canada-Manitoba Cost-Share Agreement. Measurements are made using a data logger with a pressure transducer that is located in a recording shelter. Water level data is collected and published according to the procedures and quality control assurance processes established by Water Survey of Canada. Real-time data is available on Manitoba Hydro’s website but it is not recognized as official. Final data, or published data, is generated though several levels of reviews to verify compliance to applicable standards and includes recognition of the impact of other related environmental and operational factors. 4.2 Dam Safety Manitoba Hydro’s Dam Safety Program is based on the Canadian Dam Association Guidelines. All water retaining and flow control structures at Grand Rapids GS are inspected and maintained at regular intervals. Routine inspections by trained Manitoba Hydro staff are performed semi-monthly to monthly for embankment dams classified as extreme to significant, and annually for small, low-consequence structures. Routine inspections of concrete structures are performed bi-monthly to annually, depending on the dam classification. Maintenance and testing of flow control and related equipment is carried out by site staff at least annually. Additional inspections of all water retaining structures as well as instrumentation data reviews are also performed by specialists from Manitoba Hydro’s Engineering Services Division. Studies of stability of the structures under extreme loading cases along with studies of the limestone foundation


are underway as recommended in an independent dam safety review. The next independent dam safety review for Grand Rapids GS is planned for 2015-16. 4.3 Aquatic Monitoring There are several sites on the Saskatchewan River upstream from the Grand Rapids GS that are monitored as part of the Coordinated Aquatic Monitoring Program (CAMP). CAMP was established in 2008 and is a long-term aquatic monitoring program to study and monitor the health of water bodies (rivers and lakes) effected by Manitoba Hydro’s generating system. Cedar Lake, the reservoir for the Grand Rapids GS, is monitored annually under CAMP in the southeast basin of the lake and every three years in the west basin. The operation of the Grand Rapids GS and water regulation in Saskatchewan both affect water levels on Cedar Lake. Cedar Lake is home to Chemawawin First Nation and the community of Easterville. The lake supports important subsistence, commercial, and recreational fisheries. The lake has an extensive history of aquatic environment monitoring. Long term fish stock monitoring to support the management of the commercial fishery has been conducted by Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship. Fish stocks have also been monitored since 1999 under an agreement between Manitoba Hydro and Chemawawin First Nation. Water quality has been monitored by Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship at the GS since 2001. The reach of the Saskatchewan River is sampled under CAMP every three years from the Town of The Pas downstream to its confluence with Cedar Lake. The reach is affected by upstream water regulation in Saskatchewan and operation of the Grand Rapids GS. The river supports subsistence, commercial and recreational fisheries. Aquatic monitoring as part of CAMP also occurs on South Moose Lake every three years. Water levels on South Moose Lake are affected by the Grand Rapids GS and water level regulation in Saskatchewan. South Moose Lake is home to Mosakahiken First Nation and the Community of Moose Lake. The lake is fished for subsistence, and also supports commercial and recreational fisheries. Monitoring of the fish community and the commercial fishery has occurred periodically since the 1960s. 5.0 SYSTEM UPGRADES/STUDIES AND AGREEMENTS 5.1 System Upgrades/Studies Construction of the GS began in January 1960 and the first three units were in-service by October 1965, producing a total of 336 MW (450,600 hp). The final unit was placed in service in November 1968, bringing the total capacity of the GS to 447 MW (600,000 hp). Three of the four units at Grand Rapids were upgraded and the turbine runners


replaced between 1995 and 2000 making the GS more efficient and increasing the total capacity of the plant to 479 MW (642,000 hp). 5.2 Agreements A number of agreements have been negotiated between Manitoba Hydro and communities adversely impacted by the Grand Rapids Project. Along with the provincial government, Manitoba Hydro has taken a number of steps to assist impacted communities. These efforts include the development and implementation of a wide range of policies, programs and activities. Manitoba Hydro continues to strive to resolve Aboriginal grievances and claims over past projects to build a positive working relationship with Aboriginal people for the future. Manitoba Hydro’s Waterways Management Program supports and promotes the safety of people travelling on waterways affected by Manitoba Hydro’s operations. The program includes Boat Patrols to reduce floating debris and make waterways safer for users, Debris Management to collect and remove debris accumulated on shore, and Safe Ice Trails to provide a safe alternative to travelling on unchecked routes. 6.0 CLOSURE STATEMENT Manitoba Hydro continues to operate the Grand Rapids GS in accordance with the Final Licence for the Development of Water Power at the Grand Rapids Site on the Saskatchewan River. Manitoba Hydro operates and maintains the generating station and associated structures based on the Canadian Dam Association Guidelines.


Figu

re 1

: Gra

nd R

apid

s GS

Gen

eral

Loc

atio

n

Grand Rapids GS Short Term Licence Extension Figures Supporting Documentation

Figu

re 2

: Gra

nd R

apid

s Gen

erat

ing

Stat

ion

Gen

eral

Arr

ange

men

t


Figu

re 3

: M

ain

Uni

t Int

ake

and

Pow

erho

use

Sect

ion


Figu

re 4

: Spi

llway

Ele

vatio

n of

Str

uctu

re a

nd S

ectio

n th

roug

h Ro

llway


Photograph 1: Grand Rapids Generating Station

Photograph 2: Moose Lake Narrows Control Structure

Grand Rapids GS Short Term Licence Extension Photographs Supporting Documentation

Photograph 3: Red Earth Dam

Photograph 4: One Man Dam

Grand Rapids GS Short Term Licence Extension Photographs Supporting Documentation

brian giesbrecht - province of manitoba...2014 10 30 mr. rob matthews manager, water use licensing...

Documents