FERC Project No. 2079 - PCWA Middle Fork American River Project ...

Application for New License Middle Fork American River Project (FERC Project No. 2079)
4.1.5.1 Operating Objectives
The MFP has been operated for over 40 years by PCWA as a multipurpose project to
benefit the people of Placer County. The MFP is operated with respect to four
objectives, as follows:
• Meet FERC license requirements that protect environmental resources and
provide for recreation.
• Meet PCWA’s consumptive water demands.
• Generate power to help meet California’s energy demand and provide valuable
support services required to maintain the overall quality and reliability of the
state’s electrical supply system.
• Maintain Project facilities to ensure their continued availability and reliability.
These five key operating characteristics of the MFP allow PCWA to meet its operating
objectives:
• Storage Flexibility—the flexibility to raise and lower reservoir levels (water
storage) at different rates and times throughout the year subject to minimum
storage level requirements. This flexibility allows:
o Reasonable rates of drawdown through the summer to meet consumptive
water demands and generate during periods of peak energy demand
o Evacuation of sufficient reservoir storage space in the fall to provide adequate
storage capacity to manage the following spring runoff with minimum potential
for spill
o Higher levels of drawdown of the reservoirs under drought conditions so that
consumptive water supply needs can be met
• Combined Operation of Middle Fork and Ralston Powerhouses—the ability to
operate the Middle Fork and Ralston powerhouses simultaneously over a range
of flows and schedule periods. This capability is limited only by (1) powerhouse
maximum flow capacity, (2) minimum pool (storage) requirements in upstream
reservoirs, and (3) flows necessary to meet minimum instream flow (MIF)
requirements.
• Operation of Oxbow Powerhouse and Ralston Afterbay—the ability to fluctuate
Ralston Afterbay on a daily basis over a range of storage levels, so that releases
to the Middle Fork American River below Oxbow Powerhouse meet MIF
requirements and provide whitewater boating recreational opportunities without
requiring operation of Middle Fork and Ralston powerhouses.
February 2011 4-25