Home / Contact GPID / Elected Officials GRANTS PASS IRRIGATION DISTRICT Frequently Asked Questions about GPID September 1, 2001 11. Question: What about low river flows, can GPID still operate? Answer: We need 800 cubic feet of water (cfs) in order for the water turbines to function properly. We also need 100 cfs for the fish ladders to operate. When river flows become low, large amounts of moss and debris create problems for our traveling fish screens. Even with the large trash racks in front of the fish screens, debris can build up and break the screens. Replacement for each screen can exceed $20,000.00 and cause the loss of water in the ditches for a least a week. For FY 2001 irrigation season, we have had around-the-clock crews cleaning the trash racks and fish screens. With a new modern pumping system, we will be operating with lower stream flows and without the mechanical fish screens that we have now. A new pump system will have state-of-the-art screens and operate with the lower river flows. We will also have the ability to only operate only the amount of pumps that are needed. Currently, the water turbines within the dam have no ability to be reduced when water demands reduce. The turbines are either pumping water or not pumping water. We can not adjust the flow of water. |